Modeling Behavior

Modeling Behavior

Modeling behavior is so important. Modeling is not only important when your children are young, but also when they are older. It is so amazing how we are shocked when our children all of a sudden start repeating the same words we use as adults. Children watch and listen when you do not think they are.

Remember pressing your ears against the bedroom door, to listen to what your siblings or parents were talking about in the privacy of their own bedroom? Children are curious, so turn their curiosity into something useful. Modeling behavior is a powerful way to shape your children into who you want them to be and what you want them to do when they grow up.

Share your own personal virtues and values, as parents, with your children now so when they are older they can continue to represent and model how to live and better our world. Teach your children how to think critically and make wise decisions. If you do not teach them, then the world will.

It only takes five minutes at bedtime to start modeling behavior. Have a conversation with your child about their day or their concerns and excitement about the next day at school. This teaches how to communicate and show empathy. You may also want to show how prayer, meditation, etc is a vital part of your life. Modeling behavior like this now, can have a great impact on their future.

When modeling behavior, make sure you are consistent. Do not just put on a show in front of your children. Make sure they see you do the same behavior on your own private time. This is what turns practice into impact for a child seeing you do this behavior. There are so many things we want to keep going as far as family traditions, beliefs, virtues, etc. How do you keep these memories and behaviors alive?

Be intentional in instructing your children. You will not regret it, when they grow up to be beautiful on the inside and out, and a great value to this world. When the storms come and problems arise in their lives as they get older, your son or daughter can refer back to their foundation of lessons learned, wisdom gained, and past stories of how they overcame an issue in life.

I am calling parents to put together a baby or family time capsule preserving valuable lessons learned. During the Summer it is easy to kick back and relax our habits. Instead, enjoy modeling behavior and teach what is important to you as a family. Write a “message to the future” letter to your children to read when the time capsule is opened on a date of your choosing in the future. Imagine pulling out sentimental items, and mementos that remind you all of behaviors, fun times, and other lessons of your past.

Leave messages and memorabilia about times when intentional lessons, spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional disciplines were taught and encouraged. It will be a great time of laughter and tears when the baby or family time capsule is opened in the future and you all can reminisce about what life was like when the time capsule was filled. Live intentionally. Pass on these great lessons by modeling behavior. How much fun will it be to see how far you all have come as a family, let along see how long these lessons and behaviors have continued in your family for generations.

If you would like a baby time capsule, click here. If you want to make your own DIY family time capsule, you can use the “any occasion” DIY time capsule seen here. Simply add your own family photos to the outside of this DIY time capsule, draw on it, or write on the outside to decorate it however you want. Then, fill it with your special mementos, memories, and memorabilia.

What are some behaviors you are grateful your family taught you? Comment below.

Making Milestone Moments Count,

– Marcie