Thoughts on Parenthood

We had a great long weekend~ It was a little crazy, I will have to admit! We had two 30th birthday parties. One Saturday and one Sunday and pretty much the rest of the weekend was spent at the beach! We hadnt gone down to the beach in awhile so it was really nice! Whenever we are there it feels like we kind of disconnect from our everyday routine! The kiddos had a blast! 

Last week, Gus's preschool had a back to school night for all of parents. It was a night to sort of get familiar with the other parents in your child's class and for the teachers to explain to the parents what her expectations were for the children as well as the parents. They introduced all of the staff etc... and so forth! It was nice because at Open House, when you meet your child's teacher, since the children are there it's sort of hard to really get to talk to the teachers!

All of the teachers had packets for the parents with the class schedule, curriculum topics, classroom rules, basically everything we went over. In between all of those papers, there was a handout with this write up...

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to criticize.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

if a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.

If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with jealousy, he learns what envy is.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with recognition, he learns to set goals.

If a child lives with sharing, he learns about generosity.

If a child lives with sharing, he learns about generosity.

If a child lives with honesty and fairness, he learns what truths and justice are.

If a child lives with friendliness, he learns that the world is a nice place in which we live.

If you live with serenity, your child will lie with piece of mind.

I loved this.

 I really didn't take it literally, but I did get a general message out of it. Children become who they are by example. By what they are around. By what they see. For, the most part. 

Parents are a child's first teachers. I am firm believer of that. And sometimes, we get caught up with everyday life and act on instinct or we have a sudden reaction and we sort of forget that we have little people watching our every move. 

I catch myself doing little things sometimes that I am like whoops, I wasn't supposed to do that. Little things like manners, or speaking in a certain tone of voice. or being lazy and not putting something back where it belongs.  We are all human and make mistakes.

This little write up was a great reminder for me as a mother to treat people, how I want to be treated or how I want my child to treat his peers at school. With respect, with honesty, with love. 

This got to me right at a perfect time, at the beginning of the school year. I am starting off the school year with a clean slate, as a parent. There is always room for improvement, right?!?!