I Am a Hypocrite
Yes I am a hypocrite and you probably are as well.
At my son’s school they have a program called AR (accelerated reading) where the kids read books, log onto the computer, and take a test. As they pass these tests they get AR points. It is a cool system. There is a huge list of books that are eligible which makes it even better. For every test my son completes he gets two G-Dollars at home, G-Dollars are our incentive program. So we strongly encourage (make him) read books on a regular basis so he can achieve high levels on his AR ranking.
We all know reading is good but here is my issue and where I become a hypocrite. While I am ‘strongly encouraging’ him to read guess what I am doing? Yep watching tv or surfing the net. Not a good example. See I want my son to do something but the example I am setting ain’t all that great.
This got me thinking about other things we make our kids do that we stop doing as adults. Your know things like…
* read books
* study
* play outside
* not watch too much tv
* go to church
* be nice to others
* be respectful to others
* don’t get smart with their parents
Yeah I dont like the list either cause I am GUILTY as charged.
When was the last time you read a book? Did you do it where your kids could see you? I am starting to make an effort to read at the same time I ask Greg 2.0 and Ashley to read. Trying to set an example.
Study / homework may sound like something we no longer need to do but I beg to differ. We should always educate ourselves. Think about it we say to our kids to study and do well in school for a better future but then we don’t continue to educate ourselves for a better future. It doesn’t matter your age you can still learn and improve your future. I am not saying you have to go to school but you can read certain things, attend seminars, watch webinars, read blogs, etc.
Play outside is another one. When was the last time you went outside and and played? Yeah been a while for me too. It could beg a walk, a run (I ain’t running), tossing the football, shoot baskets, etc. We know it is good to get fresh air which is why we want our kids outside, which is why the NFL has a program called Play 60. Yet we as adults have determined that we can sit inside…why?
I know so many people that send their kids to church because they think it is right but they keep their butts at home. If your think it is good for them then it is good for you too. Yeah it may be hard to do at first but give it a chance cause it may not only enhance their lives but turn yours around as well.
Being respectful to others when we aren’t. Hey husbands when was the last time you got smart with your wife or spoke to her in a way that you know was wrong? Wouldn’t you totally flip out if you son talked to his mom that way? Yeah I have been seriously guilty there too.
This blog is a hard one to read cause I AM SO GUILTY of these things.
I am trying now to set a better example for my kids. I am not asking them to do anything I wouldn’t do. When I ask them to read, I read. When I say no more tv, I turn it off of me as well. When Greg 2.0 is doing homework I sit there and work on things too or try to help him study. When I get upset about how he talks to his mom I look at me and think about how I have spoken to her.
Yes I am a hypocrite but I am getting better. I am trying. The key is to be aware and pay attention to the examples we set. Too often their short comings are really our short comings.
