Parents, this one’s for you. Listen closely. Your attitude matters. Your words and actions will color your children’s words and actions. Your refusal of things will lead to your kids refusing those same things. Your acceptance means their acceptance.
Seems common sense, right? But I think we sometimes forget it. It’s not until we hear our exact words come out of our child’s mouth that we realize just how much they pick up from us. Social media influencers got nothing on you parents. Seriously though, take a moment and think about it. Your children are learning most of what they know from you. How to act. How to react. How to treat others. How to spend money or not spend money. The list is endless, so use your powers for good.
You might be wondering how this relates to travel. Well let me tell you a story. We went down to the swimming area today in our campground. At first glance, umm, let’s just say it left quite a lot to be desired.
But I needed my children to swim. I just wanted to have a few minutes without all four kids hovering around me (it’s been a long, wet few days hiding in the tent away from the mosquitoes). So, I tried to hype it up as I took off my shoes and walked in the first few feet. “Ooh this water feels cool, it’s so hot out here. The bottom is sandy once you get past the grass. I’d love to swim, but I’m going to stay by the shore with Little One.” What I was really saying in my head though was, “Yuck, this place looks so gross. I can’t handle grass in the water; that’s where things like to hide. Where is the sandy beach? Ugh it’s squishing between my toes.” In my desperation though, I pulled out all the stops and stretched the truth maybe just a bit. And it worked. They all got in and loved it. Is it someplace I want to swim? Nope. It’s probably never going to happen, but I don’t want my biases influencing them away from trying new things.
So, watch your words and actions. Use those influential powers for good. Reflect on your attitude. Be the positive, even if and when your every fiber screams out the opposite.
(Edited 5 June)
We went back down to the swimming area today. Lots of people were out swimming. Again, I used the Little One as an excuse because she didn’t want to get in the water, and someone has to watch her while she collects rocks and sticks. I guess I’ll make the sacrifice so the older children don’t have to and can swim.
Then I heard a man yell, “F*** that fish bit my nipple!” Yep, definitely not getting in this lake ever to swim. I’ve no intention of going topless, but I’m also not going to take any chances the little fishes won’t try to nibble my toes or some other body part off. No way, not going to happen. I’ll sit on the shore and watch Little One.
(Edited 12 June)
Visited the beach area again. We’ve been going to some other local beaches that are more to my liking so haven’t been back here until today. Little One was doing a bit of splashing on the shore while I did some people watching.
I saw a mom walk up with her three kids. One seemed older, maybe early 20s, and the other two were definitely mid-teens. The younger two kids wanted to get in, but it was obvious they were a bit hesitant because of how the place looked. And the mom acted just how I’d wanted to the first time we came here. And you know what happened. Her kids would not get in the water past their ankles. After a couple minutes, she stormed off to her car mumbling about them being city kids.
I get it momma, I wanted to do the same thing when we first checked out the place. But our kids need our support to try out new things. They need our attitudes to reflect what we want their attitudes to be. They won’t venture out there if we’re unwilling to walk beside them when they do. Walking with them sets up a foundation of trust which will one day be the stepping stone for them leaving the nest so to speak.
Watch that attitude, your words, your actions and watch how your children parrot them back to you.