Do As I Say Not As I Do! Not In My Household!

Imitation is the greatest Form of Flattery 

Right?

That is what I was taught?

Then my mom told me 

Do as I say not as I do.

Then I had kids and figured out what she meant.

But I disagree.

It should be do as I do, because I do right but I am also a GROWN UP! So I do grown up things that you cannot indulge in yet. So get over it!

Momo +BlogHer gave me the inspiration for this blog over at twitter. She asked the question "Has any one ever given you a few cents in a check-out line, or let you go ahead of them?" 

I answered that I did those things and while my monsters were younger I made sure to do them because

 Lessons Are Learned Everywhere! 

This was something I tried to remember when I was with my kids. That they watched me and learned from everything I did. 

Did I sit a particular way on the couch while watching TV? 

"R2" copied the way I curled my legs under me.

 "Skode" turned his head a certain way when asked a question he wanted to avoid. 

But the one that really got me was when my two year old started repeating my then favorite expression of exasperation...Along with the perfect pitch and attitude she managed to duplicate my facial expression.

What did I say? It has been co-opted by the Internet and text messaging short hand so it has lost meaning but way back then, it was my go to shout whenever the monsters were driving me to distraction.

OH MY GOD!!!

The first time I heard her say it I was standing with a group of neighborhood parents while our children ran around playing in the street in front of our house. 

There she stood, wearing only a t-shirt and a pull-up,(we were potty training) and her older brother wouldn't let her ride on the bike with him. "R2" was eight and usually good with her but he wanted to go fast. She wanted him to play now. She walked up to me, said I want to ride. I said no, go play with your own stuff.

She bounced her head said OH MY GOD! and stalked off huffing and puffing.

The rest of the parents looked at me and pointed their fingers and covered their mouths to muffle the sound of laughter. Everyone recognized exactly where she had picked that up from. Not my best moment.

But I also taught that same kid and her brothers to feed those with less. To give to people in need. We donated every year. We worked with the disabled. They grew up with compassion, empathy and sympathy being part of their lives. I made sure they knew there was a difference. 

Making these things part of your kids lives doesn't require you to do anything spectacular.

• Be kind to strangers
• Stand up for the underdog
• Teach the Golden Rule

Do unto to others as you would have them Do to you! 

• Follow the Golden Rule 
• Be honest, even if its hard.
• Accept that sometimes your kid won't like the lesson
• Accept that sometimes YOU won't like having to teach it

My monsters learned early that they couldn't really BE monsters even if they were allowed to act that way at home. They were taught manners. 

1. Please
2. Thank you
3. Your welcome
4. Yes and No ma'am
5. May I..

They've helped the elderly with their groceries, people in wheelchairs reach things on the high shelves and they have even offered up their own pennies for someone short of cash while shopping. I am proud of the monsters I raised. They are generous and giving of themselves. 

They are also still trying to find themselves in today's world and they are making mistakes along the way. But they don't try to hurt people. They are growing into people that I hope will make me proud of them as parents. We shall soon see.