Be the person you want a kid to be!

Adults can learn from rules on children’s poster
I recently visited my grandson’s school and the poster of rules caught my eye:

• Always be respectful
• Don’t talk when someone else is talking
• Raise your hand – don’t shout out
• Keep your hands to yourself
• Don’t hurt others
• Have fun
• Learn
• Treat others how you want to be treated

I really liked the list; it was short, it was clear, and other than “Always” it was attainable.

As I watched, I thought the students did a good job of following the rules.

As adults, I wonder how well we follow the same rules.

Do we expect behavior from kids that we do not model?

Do we surround our kids with friends and family that do not follow the same rules?

Do we support TV and movie heroes who follow different rules?

What is a kid to learn?

Children are concrete thinkers. What they see is what they believe. Example: A young student was surprised I lived in a house. He thought I lived at school because I was there when he came in the morning; I was there when he left in the afternoon, and I was there at night if he came to a ballgame.

Kids learn from what they see. Would it not be good if we behaved as we want kids to behave; if what was taught at school could be lived at home and reinforced in other aspects of a child’s life.

I know that is easier said than done. It is impossible to totally guard a child from all the people who seem to have underdeveloped social skills.

But, I do think it is possible for each of us to pay attention to what we expect from kids, and give an honest effort to practice what we preach.

We are developing the next generation and all of us have the responsibility and the opportunity to make a difference; to help mold the bosses, employees, and neighbors we want.

We can blame and shame and “ain’t it awful” all we want, but it does no good.

Just follow the rules, and BE THE PERSON YOU WANT KIDS TO BE.

Until the next time: Live while you live!