Parenting
Our Children Are Observing, So Let’s Avoid Being Jerks
by Mia Reynolds
Updated: Feb. 8, 2021
Originally Published: June 26, 2016
Throughout my journey as a parent, I’ve come to realize that our children are constantly observing us. It’s crucial for us as adults to curb our less-than-kind behaviors to prevent raising a generation of self-centered individuals. Setting a positive example is essential because we’re all tired of encountering entitled jerks.
If your kids have turned a restaurant table into a disaster zone with sugar packets and jelly containers, and you decide to leave without cleaning up or tipping well, that’s not acceptable. If your children are wreaking havoc while you enjoy your meal, someone has to deal with the aftermath. Think about how much you’d need to be paid to clean jelly, ketchup, and salt off a table or to pick up squished fries and slippery pasta from the floor.
If you find yourself uncomfortable with a mother breastfeeding or bottle-feeding her child, keep your opinions to yourself. I’ve never met a parent who changed their mind because someone decided to criticize how they choose to nourish their child.
When your child misbehaves—be it hitting, lying, or throwing things—it’s your job to help them understand what’s socially acceptable. Teach them not to be a jerk because if you don’t, someone else certainly will.
If a child is crying in a public space and it bothers you, especially somewhere like a restaurant with a play area, just leave. Don’t complain to the staff; be an adult, and exit gracefully. If your child is running wild during a solemn moment like a wedding or church service, take them outside. Don’t ruin the experience for others.
When watching a performance, if someone behind you is trying to capture their child’s moment, it’s fine to stand briefly for a picture. But if you think it’s okay to stand up and film the entire event, you’re being inconsiderate. Remember, you’re not invisible.
During youth sports events, if you’re shouting unhelpful comments from the sidelines and you’re not the coach or parent, you’re just being disruptive. Calm down; this isn’t the Olympics, and kids need encouragement, not chaos.
We’ve all encountered enough rude individuals in our lives. Let’s work together to decrease the number of jerks around us. Our kids are watching and learning from our actions. If we can practice compassion, understanding, and self-control, we’ll all be better off.
Next time you feel the urge to act thoughtlessly (we all have our moments), take a step back. Our future generation will benefit from our improved behavior. For more insights on parenting and home insemination, check out our post on using an at-home insemination kit.
Summary:
In this article, Mia Reynolds reminds us that children learn by observing adult behavior. By modeling kindness, respect, and understanding, we can help shape a better future generation. From handling public situations with grace to teaching children about appropriate behavior, it’s crucial to set a positive example. Additionally, resources on fertility and pregnancy can be valuable for those considering family planning.