Where is she getting that from?
The kids have been at Grandma and Grandpa’s for a few days and Mike and I have been enjoying some time alone, so I’m putting up a post from my archives (which turns out to be one I needed to take a look at anyway. I’ve had a few of those sometimes-parenting-is-hard days lately and needed the reminder to look at my part in it…)
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“Fine,” my daughter said, “That’s fine.” I’d just told her she couldn’t do something she wanted to because she’d been arguing with her brother too much. And the tone in her comment was the last straw.
“We’ve got a new rule around here,” I announced. “No sarcasm.” I’d been hearing a lot of it and I’d had enough.
Where’s she getting it from? I wondered.
A few days later, I got my answer.
And it wasn’t the one I wanted…
My daughter asked if she could watch TV and I said no. She argued, then, “You’re not fair,” she whispered, leaving the room to mope.
I followed, frustrated. “You’re leaving sad all because of TV? That’s great.”
She turned and looked at me.
“You’re being sarcastic,” she said softly. “I thought you said we couldn’t be sarcastic anymore.”
It made me stop and think.
Because she was right.
We talked about it and I apologized, promising to follow the rule, just like her.
After that day, I saw her attitude change.
A funny thing…
so did mine.
And I think the next time I wonder where are my kids getting that from?, I need to ask myself
if maybe
they are getting it from me.
Yes, I've definitely been there before. It's a great reminder. Lately, for me it's been my patience. I'm always asking them to be patient and wait and I find myself getting impatient when they don't do something I asked them to right away. Thanks for the reminder :)
wow, great post. Glad you shared that story. Something to really stop and think about. It's true, we are our children's biggest role models and example as to guide them how they are supposed to be. They are sponges and watching and mimicking everything. But you are totally right, we have to hold ourselves accountable and not be hypocritical in doing the very things we warn our children not to do. Thanks for that reminder :)
You really get to know yourself by watching what your children do!
You really get to know yourself by watching what your children do!
Even the little ones copy everything we do. Lyric started saying Dang it! At least it isn't something worse. I try to watch what I say (and do) as much as possible. I believe they really pay attention to our attitudes the most though…the rolling eyes, sighs, wide eyes when we're mad. And when we are kind and gentle they DO copy that too!
Great reminder. Thanks for sharing honestly. Lately my kids have been waiting longer than usual to obey when I tell them to clean up their toys. I don't like to admit it, but since summer began, I've been waiting longer to pick up the things I'm responsible for. Hmmm…
This is a great reminder to behave the way that we want our children to behave! Thanks for posting this!
Excellent reminder. I am noticing this more and more and it terrify's me! I know I have to model who I want my kids to be… and I just dont know how sometimes… its a journey!