The importance of setting the right example for our children cannot be underestimated. We know it's important to lead by example, but sometimes we can get too busy, and stray off the beaten path. When we consider the influence we have over our children and realizing that the decisions we make will impact them for years to come and have a solid imprint on their life, we've got to think about the best areas where we can set the right example. Here are a few to consider.
An Environmentally Friendly Attitude
If we start to pay more attention to the planet we live on, especially if we haven't previously, this will, naturally, set the best example, especially as it is our children that will be dealing with our mistakes, not us. So we can start to fix things now in our own little ways. For example, you could get solar panels from a solar company and upgrade your house to improve your carbon footprint. If you were not environmentally conscious before, you can start by doing the small things, like recycling, using less paper, and walking more with your child.
Showing Your Commitment to Personal Development
We have to remember that life is about continual improvements. We should always be looking to improve ourselves in some little way. When your children see how committed you are to leading a better life, some of the habits you will have learned along the way, at the very least, will rub off on them.
Looking After Your Health
We can spend a lot of time telling our children that they need to eat well, but if we're not doing it ourselves, why should they listen? Sometimes, we have had a bad day, and we need a little treat, but it's about the expression “everything in moderation.” Looking after your health is vital, and remember if your children are seeing you taking care of your health, by exercising, eating well, and actually sleeping properly, this means you have more energy to be a better parent.
Learning to Calm Stress
If your child sees you overreacting to a relatively insignificant situation in life, this is only going to teach them to do the same. It's important that we control our stress levels by using calming techniques, and when our children are able to see that we do not react so unfavorably to stressful situations, it teaches them the importance of not sweating the small stuff. Again, this goes back to the idea of personal development; if you can look after your abilities to control stress, this will result in a healthier and happier child.
It's important that our children have relevant skills to get by in life, but it's important to remember that beyond getting an education, learning to drive, and having a variety of social skills, there's a lot of things that we can do to set the best examples for our children. It's also a very important reminder that, as parents, we prioritize our health and happiness as well.
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