Do as I'm doing.......follow follow me........

Do as I'm doing....follow follow me........This was a song I learned as a little one for fun, you know to get the wiggles out so we as a class would pay better attention to our teacher. There is a lot of truth to those words, especially as a parent.

Our children are great observers, and learn best when taught by example. They will mimic what we do, like a little girl will pretend to put mascara on her eyes while her mom is doing makeup. They learn best this way.

Sometimes we aren't as aware of our actions as we are our words. We tell our children what they should/shouldn't be doing, what is important and on; but do our actions support our

words?

Does the phrase " Do as I say not as I do" sound familiar? It seems that is a common theme for most parents, and all parents at one time or another.

It is important that we are in integrity with our children. That what we expect out of them, we give of ourselves.

If we don't do this, then we make ourselves out to be liars and someone our children will not feel they can trust, or are afraid to. TRUST is the most important thing in any relationship, especially parent/child.

Self inventory is one of the things I practice most, I evaluate what I am doing and compare it to where or what I want to be. Then I make adjustments as I can. Here are some idea's that will help you to add value to your children's life through your example, creating a HomeMade quality of life.

• Take care of yourself. Wake up early and take time for yourself to exercise, spiritual study and get ready for the day. This will teach them that it is important for them to take care of themselves and have personal time.
• If it's not ok for them, is it really ok for you? This question isn't exactly black and white because there are some age defining terms. Let your children know what those age defining terms are. For example, our rule used to be no food in the family room. So they always had to eat in the kitchen. However we as parents would still eat in the family room. Mixed message, right? So now the rule is, when you are older than the age of 12, you can eat in the family room. That way, my husband and I stay in integrity by following the rules.Answer this question honestly in everything - TV, radio, books, how time is spent....etc.
• Do they have adequate time with you? Sometimes we as parents get so busy doing "adult" stuff, that our children can get lost in the background. I know that it is hard finding balance but it is important that as you take time for yourself, you take time for them as well. At our house, the morning is mine to get my chores done, school and anything business related. Then at 2:00 it is my time with the kids. This way they have my undivided attention and I make better use of my mornings :)
• Take Time. Take the time to REALLY listen intently and to make sure you FOLLOW THROUGH with what they ask of you. They in turn will take time to listen to you and follow through with what you ask of them. Take the time to explain the WHY of things. Why you want them to do something, why you don't want them to do something. Avoid and get rid of the attitude - Because I said so, or Because I am the parent.
• Do you like what you see in the mirror? Children are  perfect reflections of who we are. The way you treat them is the way they will treat you. Don't like how they are treating you? Change how you treat them! They will use the same words and actions they are taught - towards you, their siblings and towards other people. Children deserve respect and when it is given them they will happily give it in return.

The great thing about children is they are naturally great examples to us, we can learn a lot from them :)