The question isn't so much "Are you parenting the right way?" as it is: "Are you the adult that you want your child to grow up to be?"
You should be an example for your children. I show my three children what I am and expect them to live by certain controls. But, by the grace of god, they are good kids.
I love being a mom. And I think what I love the most is the way it makes me think about what's important and what's not important. What to fight for and what to just be cool with. What it is that I'm teaching through example and what it is that I was taught that I don't want to teach.
I want to be a good example for my son. That's the best way to parent - to be the example of what you want to see in them. That's definitely how my parents parented and how my grandparents parented. And it works.
Fathers are very, very important in building the foundations and self-esteem of children. For me, the way that I was raised, consideration, courtesy and manners are really key and I think the father plays a big role in setting an example to children in how to behave out in the world and how to treat people. It's a little bit different when it comes from the dad rather than the mum somehow.
It is no use to preach to [children] if you do not act decently yourself.
I've deliberately tried to calm myself down because eventually I want to be a good role model to my kids.
I never told my kids, 'You've got to work hard.' I just worked hard, and they followed my example.
My parents showed me by example that they could balance their work and family lives.
I don't believe professional athletes should be role models. I believe parents should be role models.
I've had my moments of insanity. But there is a certain responsibility to set proper examples for your children, and that influences your choices in every aspect of your life.
Having three daughters, it is important for me to set a good example and teach them to make decisions that are healthy for your heart no matter what age you are.
I always tried to do things by example, even though I was not a very good mother regarding routines and family life.
It takes a lot of work to be a great mother, a great daughter, and a great friend. All those things take effort, and I think, after having my daughter, she opened up this fearlessness within me, and I'm setting an example for her.
The most important role models should and could be parents and teachers. But that said, once you're a teenager you've probably gotten as much of an example from your parents as you're going to.
Whatever you want your child to learn, you have to model that every day. There's no more waiting around. Once you have a child, there's no dress rehearsal anymore.
It's OK to stand back. But it's also good to demonstrate that it's fun to be involved. As long as you are willing to say, 'This looks fun. I'd like to try this, too,' your child will mimic your example of openness, playfulness and optimism.
My mom's amazing 'mom skills' have set the tone for my sister Muffy to be an amazing mother herself.
My theory is children don't do what you tell them to do, they do what you do. You have to always do the right thing because they follow you.
It's very rewarding when you know you're affecting a young person in a positive way, when you know you're helping influence them in the right direction. Teaching them by example, giving them examples, showing humility and respect and love for your child and wife.
I lead by example. My kids know what sweat is. They've seen me come home from so many runs and asked, 'What's on your skin? How did you get it?' And I tell them, 'It's from exercise!' So now my son will come home from a bike ride, take off his helmet and say, 'Look, Mom. I'm sweating! I just worked out!'
It's hard being a girl. There are a lot of body image issues that come up and I think the best thing we can do for our kids is lead by example.
I try to be as full-time mommy as possible and also full-time working woman. That is the example I grew up with. Working mommy but also very present.
Well, I think having your kids see you role model behavior of dignity when it's hard, when you're upset, when you want to confront somebody but you don't want to and you're nervous about it, when you are having moments where abuse of power is coming on to you. I think it's really important for kids to see how you handle that.
By what you do, you teach your children how to respond to difficult information.
