Beech Tree News Network

Have you ever had one of those moments when you hear you child say the darndest thing? Only to realize that they heard it from you?  I've often said that if you wonder what really comes out of your mouth, just listen to your children. Of course, some of those moments are quite hilarious. Yet some of those moments aren't funny at all. Seems like we can always count on our children to be the ones to put us in our place. It is said that children are like sponges, and how true that is. They learn many things from us, good and bad. How can we expect them to do anything that we aren't willing to model for them first. If we don't show love and respect, then we can't expect them to do so. If we don't listen to them, chances are, they won't be interested in listening to us.

The world is a very different place than it was, even 10 years ago. We so often get so busy with life that we fail to live.  We don't gather around the dinner table. We play on our own individual means of technology, rather than playing an old fashioned board game as a family. We may not put "actual" teaching our children into our schedule, but really we are teaching them some of the most important facts of life. Yes, they learn so much at school. Thanks be to all the wonderful teachers, but in everyday life what do we as parents teach our children? To mouth off at the driver in front of us? To walk past someone needing help? To put more focus on what outward appearances? Daily, our children are learning from us how to have relationships with others, how to always be honest, how to be polite and hold the door for someone else. As role models for all children, especially the ones in our homes, just know that you're being payed attention to. 

Slow down this week. Make time to take time for you family. Tell your children how special they are. Be sure to listen to what they have to say. Whether it be about their day at school, or about how they love to play with the loudest toy in the house. Speak to them in a way that you would want someone else to. Likewise, let them hear you speak to others in a way you want them to speak to others.

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Contributor Bio:  Tiffany Hampton grew up in the Huntsville community but she now calls the Logansport community her home. Tiffany is married to Mark Hampton and they have two sons, Tucker and Macauley.  She's been a licensed cosmetologist for 12 years.  Tiffany worked in the salon for nine years, until her son was born in 2008. The following year she put a beauty shop in her home. Now, Tiffany  is a work-at-home-mommy and she loves it! Her life can still be a busy one.  Says Tiffany, "In the midst of it all, if I can put a smile on someones face, learn something daily as well as teach someone daily, then life feels good."