When I was a kid I swore I'd never be like my parents. Nowadays I'm pretty sure my 13 year old daughter is thinking the exact same thing. Guess who I'm exactly like now? You guessed it. The "rents", as we affectionately referred to them as teens. I act like them, I look like them and I often catch myself repeating some of the exact same phrases they used on us when speaking to my own kids.

In my case this isn't necessarily a bad thing because I actually had great parents. (Although I certainly didn't think so at the time) What about the kids whose parents don't demonstrate good parenting skills? What kind of Moms and Dads do they turn out to be?

Yesterday while eavesdropping on a conversation my 3 and 4 year old boys were having I realized exactly how important it is to be a good role model for my kids. I overheard my 4 year old tell my 3 year old "If you tell me where my truck is I won't be mad at you for taking it."

How familiar does this sound?

Except out of my mouth it sounds more like this, "If you lie to me and I find out you're lying you'll be in more trouble than if you go ahead and tell the truth."

Yikes! Makes you think doesn't it? How often do you hear your kids regurgitate something you said to them? To their siblings or their friends?

Monkey see monkey do.

I can't tell you how often I have to literally bite my tongue to keep from saying something I know I'll ultimately regret. I've come to recognize that my kids will model my behavior now with their friends and family,and possibly later with their own children.

Scary stuff.

So the idea is to think before you react. Stop and consider the repercussions of your words and actions. Even when it's difficult and you know it would feel so good just to say what's on your mind. Your kids relationships and your future generations depend on it.

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