Kaitlyn is at the age where she is starting to point out the inconsistencies in life. Oh Joy. She readily points out how unfair it is that I can drink my Diet Coke while sitting on the couch yet she isn’t allowed to drink her water/milk/
So, ya, I am guilty of not always setting a good example for them on things. I try, honestly, I do. I readily admit that I need to work on being more patient and eating more fruits and veggies, but I really don’t need a 5 year old acting like the food police or Miss Manners and calling me out every time I slip up. I have my husband to do that for me (love ya J!). But, what is more disturbing to me is that she’s learning that sometimes people don’t do what they say you should do and that sometimes life is just not fair or worse, life is kind of cruel.
Yes, I know, it’s the real world. I get it. But, don’t you want to teach them all of the basic functions of society first before they realize that they are rarely ever followed? I would like her to believe, even if for a little while, that when someone tells you that something should be done a certain way, they will in fact do it that way, too. Or, everyone gets a fair shake at opportunities, not just a lucky few. Stuff like that. She’ll have plenty more opportunities to learn about disappointments in life, like not getting invited to a birthday party, or not getting a Snuggie! I want her to know that even though you may be disappointed in something or someone, there is usually something or someone right around the corner who will surprise you and enlighten you with their kindness or generosity.
So, you take the good with the bad. I think she kind of gets it. Unless we’re talking about why we won’t get her a Nintendo DS and well, we’re just cruel and mean parents for that. Heck, even I haven’t learned that you can't always have everything you want (see Wii, iPhone, a million dollars…). Some things are harder to understand than others. ;)
3 comments:
I won't let my girls drink Pepsi or coke. I don't drink soda often, but when I do I drink Pepsi. The girls think it is extremely unfair that I can drink it and they can't.
I tell them that when they turn 18 they can do whatever they want......but until them I am responsible for making good decisions for them.....even if I don't always make the best for myself.
Do as I say, not as I do. I never thought that would be hard to teach a child, but it is. The worst for me is keeping him in his high chair to eat. He eats before we do since he goes to bed early. But now that he sees us eating at the coffee table he wants nothing to do with the high chair. And I don't mind him sitting on his little stool to do the same thing, what gets hard is when we go to someone else's house and the rules are different. He still wants to sit at the coffee table, but we have to set him at the big table. It's all so cinfusing to them!
I stopped by from SITS. I was behind you in the comment line and I thought I would see who was in front of me today!
Hi Suzi,
I don't have kids but I am a teacher and I get questions at school from students like, why do teachers get to chew gum etc. My response usually is something like this, because I am an adult and I can be responsible to throw my gum in the trash.
Anyways, I wanted to thank you for entering my Spring Fling Contest last week. I am stopping by all the people who commented that day!! I am having another contest this week and it started TODAY and it involves another Blog makeover!! I hope you can check it out and maybe this time you will be the winner!!
Jen
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