Naturally, when we hear the words “bad habit”, our minds automatically goes to places of drinking in excess, cigarette smoking or skipping the gym night after night.
But while all the above clearly are bad habits, the fact is that when you are a parent, there are many (many) more “bad habits” you should keep tabs on. Because, and this is not to put the fear in you or anything, it is widely known that pretty much every move you make will one way or another influence the way your children think, act and behave. And that include those previously innocent-enough vices. Yikes.
In fact, if you want to win at parenting, here are five everyday habits that your should absolutely look into ditching:
1. Your Tech Addiction
According to a new Irish study, by the time the average child turns seven, they will have spent almost a year of their lives watching TV or staring into a device like an iPad or iPhone. That is really bad news, both for your children’s health, as well as their social life and actual childhood.
But when did you last take a long hard look at your own tech habits? If you’re checking your iPhone every couple of minutes, it’s going to be tough to tell your kids that they’re not allowed to do the same.
As we all know, sometimes it is SO easy to really get stuck into a good bitch about someone you really can’t stand – but what is that teaching your kids? Indulging in mean-spirited gossip about another mum or someone from work is allowing your children to think it is OK to talk about someone else that way.
Whether you’re a mom to girls or boys, the key to your kids having healthy self-esteem is leading by example. That means just one thing, mamas; stop bashing those wrinkles and thighs – both in front of them, but also to yourself. Instead, show them how to be healthy, how eating right and exercising is something you do because you love your body, not because you hate it. And make it be known that what matters is how good and strong and healthy you feel, not what the numbers on the scale are saying.
OK, so we all know that many of us parents have to take sleep whenever we can get it (because sometimes normal sleeping hours are just not a possibility!). But if you always sleep late, or insist on a lie-in every weekend morning, that can be counterproductive in terms of setting a good example for your children on how to start their day. Because let’s be honest; being the last one to school every day doesn’t set great groundwork for their level of motivation in the future.
We all rely on little while lies, as sometimes, having to tell the whole and full truth will end us in heaps of trouble. But try to be as honest as possible around your children, as to them, it can be very hard to distinguish the difference between a “little white lie” and flat-out dishonesty.
Asking them to keep quiet to daddy about the little bit of clothes shopping you did the other day? Or having them listen in when you tell granny you are simply not feeling well enough for them to come over for a visit – then five minutes later grab your running shoes and head out the door? Then it becomes pretty tricky to try and drill it into them that they should always be honest in what they say.
What “bad parenting” habits are YOU guilty of? Do you think they matter? Join in the conversation with us on Twitter at @Herfamilydotie
(Feature image via Bellamumma.com)
