Be The Change.
Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 3:15PM 
Get this quote image as a free printable down below.
This morning, I did what all Mothers {or women for that fact} are good at. I multi-tasked. Ella stayed home from Kindy today, to ensure she was fully recovered. Ryder is still running high temps & cutting another 2-3 teeth, but is otherwise in fairly ok spirits. Chris on the other hand is not well at all :( Gah...the vicious cycle!
However, this morning - I packed bags with supplies of snacks, bottles, nappies, toys, jumpers, sunscreen etc and headed off to my weekly fitness class - with both kids in toe. It is a 'Mum n Bub' fitness class, so I normally have Ryder with me, but today I had two little cheerleaders by my side :) Taking into consideration that they both aren't 100%, I thought having them with me at this class would be ok, as it was outside at the park - in the sun & fresh air, not too close or in contact to other people {so we wouldn't share any sick germs!}. And it was fine. Ella watched & played & even joined in. Ryder looked on from his pram - for the most part....wanted to be carried/cuddled for the rest. {cue where main multitasking came in!!}
The fitness trainer of this class is an upbeat, inspirational lady with energy to boot. One thing she said this morning that really struck a cord with me, was this: "Show your kids good healthy habits from day one. Them seeing you here today, in the park, exercising is truly modeling to them how to be healthy and active, as well as fulfilling your own dreams & needs!"
I've been thinking about this a lot, since I became a Mother, but even more so now, that my 'baby' is a kid - a kid who has opinions and makes observations....a little person who absorbs, learns & copies!
So many times lately, I've witnessed Ella do or say something, and I know exactly where she got it from - ME!
Kids really do watch our every move & learn from them. That's kinda powerful! That makes us more than just Mums & Dads - we're teachers, and role models. If we want our kids to grow up a certain way - we have to show them that, we have to live that!
This concept both scares & excites me. I worry about the times I'm not being a good role model. The times when I'm snappy, and impatient. When I say things in a harsh tone. The times I give up. And when I am distracted. The days when I let a swear word slip, or have a little grown-up tantrum. Because I can't expect my kids NOT to do these things, when {1} they're human, and these are emotions &/or actions that are probably quite normal from time to time and {2} they probably learnt it from me.
So, with each day that comes, I'm trying really hard to 'be the change I want to see'.
I want my kids to be compassionate & caring. I want them to be respectful and thoughtful. I hope they appreciate all their blessings, and learn to clean up after themselves - or hey, just bring their dirty dishes to the sink sometimes!! I wish for them to be helpful & educated, and to know it's ok to relax too! I want them to read & write & ask lots of questions. I wish for them to be mindful of the words they choose when talking with or about others, and I want them to be accepting of change & difference. I want them to enjoy life, and know there's so much worth living for. I hope they enjoy exercising, and making healthy choices. AND, I hope they work hard to reach their goals, and in turn feel success!!!! There's so much I want for my kids.....and I realise a lot of it, they will gain naturally.....just by watching Chris & I, and how we interact with the world around us. Yikes....that's a lot of pressure on the parents of the world isn't it? :)
A good place to start though, in shaping balanced, happy kids.
Yet, with all that said - there's a flipside. I want my kids to also see emotion. And know that it's ok to feel it, and show it. I want them to learn resilience and forgiveness. I want them to know that Mummy & Daddy aren't always 'sunshines & lollipops happy' coz being an adult is sometimes really hard, but we do our best - we make the best possible choices at each given moment, and we learn from our mistakes. I hope they see all this too.
The good & the bad. Coz, both are learning opportunities. Both are apart of life.
The above quote image, is a well known quote by Gandhi. I have made it into a 20xm x 25xm {8x10inch} printable wall print for you to download for FREE, right here. Simply download it, print it, frame it or laminate it or just blu-tak it to the wall. Or save the above jpeg of it, for your computer screen or phone's lockscreen! Enjoy!
I also saw this quote on Kelle's blog today.....YOU CAN BUY THIS QUOTE ON A COOL TEE, and money goes towards helping teens in need - The Shine Project.
Although we all make mistakes, and sometimes hit rock bottom {even in front of our kids}, I think if we remember that they're watching & learning.....and remember to BE THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD {and in our kids!}, then this world just may be a slightly better, happier place?!! Worth a try, I guess!
Reader Comments (3)
Awesome post Claire! You are such a talented writer and have such a wonderful way of expressing your thoughts. Love that quote Claire and it's funny, I was only just saying tonight to Paul that we have to watch what we do and say as a certain little miss is at such an influential age. But you're right, while we might slip up occasionally and we can't be saints or do everything right all of the time, we need to be good role models for our children as they will learn so much just from watching and listening to us :)
Such a great quote, because when you're feeling empowered it matches you, but when you're feeling timid it gives you the courage to keep on doing what you think is right.
Hope you're all feeling better soon!
I love your sentiments, Claire and completely agree with you. After having *one of those days* today, this is just what I needed to read - thanks! J x