Lead by example.

The other night as I was putting Summer to sleep she had brought her cradle up from the playroom with her baby doll and placed it next to her bed. She turned out the light and told me to, ‘shhhh, please be quiet. I have to put my baby to sleep’. And then I proceeded to watch her rock and sway her doll exactly the way I do with Liza. I saw her kiss her baby’s forehead ever so gently as she quietly ‘shushed’ her baby over and over and then gingerly laid her in the cradle. And right then like a bolt of lightening it hit me. Even when I think she’s not paying any attention to me, even when I think what I’m doing is not important or isn’t apparent to anyone, I realized that children are always watching and learning by our example. It was such a heart-warming moment for me as I watched Summer mimic my every move with the night routine I have with Liza. But then I was struck by the realization that kids really are sponges. Everything we say and do affects them and they are just as likely to pick up on the negative things as the positive things. And just like that I thought, “I better stop cursing so much!” It’s true. I swear like a truck driver. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not ever directed AT my kids, but certainly when I’m on the phone or driving in the car and they are around it happens. And I rarely censor it. I haven’t tried to replace my words with other kind words like ‘Sugar!’ I really need to work on that though. Especially after seeing Summer the other night. She’s already a little mother at four years old. It really is inherent in so many little girls. They are programmed to tend and care for their babies. I can only hope she doesn’t utter any swear words under her breath when that baby just won’t fall asleep! 

Be well, 

LEW