Setting a Good Example

--by wayfarer, posted May 16, 2009

We all either set examples or follow examples. Often both.

Recently, I was walking away from a primary school, having delivered my Godson safely to the playground. A mum and her young son were walking towards the gate in happy conversation.

"I'll soon be six, won't I, Mum?" the boy said. His proud mum agreed that, yes, he would. "And then I'll be allowed to say bad words. Won't I, Mum?"

Imagine the mother's face!

It wasn't so much what the boy said, that caught my attention, it was the complete confidence with which he said it. Someone he trusted had obviously told this little lad that once you get to be six years old you could say bad words and it would be okay. So okay he could happily tell his mum about it.

Supposing that same person had told him that six was the age when you started helping those younger than you, or six was when you were expected to say your prayers every night and do a good deed every day?

He would have been just as convinced, and the world would be better for it.

Let's start setting the example from the earliest age. Because if we don't, others will. And when we choose an example to follow ourselves, let's make it the best example available - knowing full well that we pass it on!

1843 Reads

Posted by wayfarer
May 16, 2009
Comments (9)

Readers Comments

AURELIA wrote: You are so right! EYES are always watching us. Let's set the best example for our children to follow. It's funny because I tried so hard to be that person...and ended up following my children so many times. They are wise beyond their years, ya know! :0) ~Aurelia

Alraisi wrote: You're Right! You know, Kids learn very fast and they have many special things in themselves. Their memories is a blessing from GOD. I'm really surprised about this kid, I mean how happy is he to be Six and also to say bad words!!! As you said before, wouldn't it have been better if someone taught this little kid to be a helpful kid in his school or something else? Lets hope that this kid understands that bad words are not good and they upset people!
Thanks for sharing!
Alraisi...

JuneBug wrote: Not long ago I was watching one of my grand-daughters. We had been talking , she more than I asking so many questions as 6 year olds do. I was listening contently for a while as I was crocheting until I had to get up and go to the restroom..When I came back to the livingroom, she had climbed up in my seat and put my reading glasses on and pretended she was crocheting. She was pretending to be me! I laughed real hard and so did she..That made me stop to think how we are definitely watched!...:)

JuneBug wrote: P.S. I have to add this...Stop and think about it...Even animals watch their parents and pick up what they do. It is instilled by God...I am so smart! :)

FairyBubbles wrote: Oh yes, you are so right - I will definitely remember this one!

Modestobob wrote: Nice take Wayfarer! I bet his mum noticed you too and felt a little embarrassed? Our grandkids are like "little sponges with arms and legs". They are constantly imitating us. It's so cute. You are dead on wayfarer! :) ~ModestoBob~

sethi wrote: Kids are fast learners. So we grown ups should be extra careful when they are around. Thank you for reminding us.

MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: That is all so very true wayfarer. My children like to play a game where they get to "be the Dad' and I get to "be the kid." It is so very interesting what they do when they "are me." Like Aurelia said, they are always watching, even when we do not realize it. When we lead by example they often learn far more from that than what we say. It is never too early to teach them kindness, thanks for the reminder!

lmil1954 wrote: Wow this is profound! So true, like June's comment, one of my grandson would imitate me reading when he was far too young to read and he would pick up sunglasses to do so, as he had seen me pout on reading glasses! They do learn from example so being the best we can be if only for the sake of our children is so very important. Love, Linda:)

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