Happy Father's Day: Be a Good Role Model!

What do we want for our children? In general, I think all parents want their kids to be safe, happy, and healthy. How do we get there? Like it or not, if we want our kids to do "certain" things, we need to show them how to do it. That means, we (parents) have to be good role models. Easier said then done.

1. How many parents insist that their kids wear a bike helmet and don't wear one themselves?
2. How many parents would be freaked out and outraged if their 16-year old was texting and/or talking on the phone while driving?
3. How many parents insist that their children go exercise while they sit on the couch?
4. How many parents make their children eat their broccoli while openly admitting they hate vegetables, let alone broccoli?!?

If we want our children to do something, we need to do it ourselves. I am very realistic - my friends will tell you that I am not overly restrictive and crazy about nutrition and exercise, at the same time, I try very hard to practice what I teach others to do. But I will never say I am perfect - parenting is about making mistakes and learning from them.

Like it or not, kids do what we do, not what we say. Our actions are far more powerful than our words. We lead by example...etc., etc., etc., This all makes sense when you become a parent. I do not want my kids texting while driving - so I make a point of not doing so. 

This is a parenting reminder that applies to everything! If we want our kids to make healthy choices, guess what, we need to make healthy choices! If we want our kids to exercise, we need to exercise! It does not mean we have to be the healthiest, fittest parent on the planet, but we need to show our kids that it is important that the family is healthy and that health is a priority for all of us (including the dog).