It’s very true that our kids say the darndest, most brutally honest things, they get it from somewhere. Everything our kids do, they have learned it some place, from someone, somehow. A number of the things that they pick up, we don’t really mind, but it isn’t always the good things they pick up on.
Our kids look to us for what to do in social interactions and in all situations. Face it, you talk to your friends and co-workers completely different than you do around your house with your family and children, well maybe. None of us really think about some of the things we say or do, until they are repeated or done by our kids. There are so many kid’s today that are constantly in trouble, either at school or even the police, because of poor guidance or honestly a lack there of.
We have to guide our kids in the right ways try our hardest to keep them from doing just really stupid things. I mean yes there is a fine line from being an over-protective parent, a controlling parent, and a crazy, but that is part of being a parent. Face it, as a parent you are to be a parent not your child’s friend. Now don’t get me wrong, you need to be there for your children, but being the cool parent, isn’t always going to be the best thing for your kids. Now I’m not saying that I’m “World’s Greatest Dad” and should teach classes on how to be a father, but sometimes you go somewhere and you just think – I’m not doing so bad a am I…
We all have seen the kids, that make you think I wish they were your kid, or make you want to slap their momma. Pushing your kids to be respectful to others is one thing, but more than that, we have to push our kids to respect themselves. Too many kids today are “depressed” but are so privileged they don’t know what to do with themselves. We have pushed to far into the “everyone did great”, and the everyone gets a trophy mentality that there is no winner. This is where the problem comes along when these kids grow up and become part of “the real world,” if something isn’t handed to them, they don’t know what to do.
Let’s push our kids to respect themselves and others. Let’s push to break our kids of these entitled attitudes. Start the push from within yourself. Let you kids see you working hard for what you have and what your family has, teach them the value of money, time, love, and true friendship. Let’s see our kids change the direction of their generation and our world.
Yes! The change starts with us modeling character and respect for our kids. Especially dads. The father’s role is so critical in the foundation and future lives or our kids. We’ve been reading a great new, actually renewed book, I think all dads with daughters would enjoy. We’re loving it, so I have to share… It’s called “She Calls Me Daddy: 7 Things You Need to Know About Building a Complete Daughter,” by Robert Wolgemuth. Originally released in the 90s, it was a best seller. His girls are grown up and give their own input along with their husbands who are daddies to girls. I understand 40% of the book is new material. It’s so unique in this way. Robert puts the anxieties of Daddy raising his girl(s) to rest, guiding you through challenges and good times – protecting, conversation, affection, discipline, laughter, faith, conduct. So great for helping daddies learn to lead, love and cherish. I highly recommend it!