Unless we decide to move to a remote part of Antarctica or become a self sufficient recluse, we will be surrounded by people daily. While it's important to always set a good example for everyone, we need to be extra cognizant of the little eyes that are watching us. There are very few things more important than being a good role model for the younger generation.
Kids are a ball of clay. When they are young, they are set out on the table, and each person whom they come in contact with starts kneading and molding the clay. Their little eyes are drawn to the older people around them for guidance and lessons on how to act, think, and communicate. They often emulate what they see. Give them a positive example.
If you show them how to communicate with words and not with their fists, you'll create a child who can keep their cool and rationally work through differences. If you show the importance of getting and giving respect, you'll create a child who exhibits empathy and concern for the feelings of others. If you show them hard work, you'll create a child who pushes him or herself constantly and doesn't settle when times get a little hard.
Besides the little eyes watching us, there are little ears holding on to every word we say. What we say to kids carries more power than any one of us could possibly imagine. I heard this quote, and thought it fit perfectly into this. “Kids believe what they hear and become what they believe.” Be quick with praise and careful with criticism. Kids need to know when they have messed up and what needs to be changed, but the delivery can literally make or break a kid. Mistakes are going to happen, and we need to make sure that kids are taught to learn from them and not fear making one. Our youth needs to know they are important, capable, and loved. The words they hear can make an enormous difference on the path they take.
It's a scary thought, but those who are around youth truly have that much power. Be someone who'd you want your kid to be like. Don't be careless around young children. Even the smallest lack of concern can impact a child for the rest of his/her life. Help build the kid into someone that he/she can be proud of. Being a positive role model for the youth is invaluable.
Little eyes are always watching. Tread carefully. Care about them. Love them. Support them. Be someone worth emulating. :)
Go do great things,
EP
*Your task is to tell me about someone who impacted your life when you were a kid.