The Apple and the Tree

Many of us have heard the saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”. As an educator, I find myself speaking these words more often than not. Why are children disrespectful? Why do our children lack goals? Why are our children loosing out on life? Simply put: the apple and the tree. Whether we realize it or not, a child grows up to mimic their parent in their behavior and goals. The behavior of my students sometimes baffles me….until I meet the parent. At that point, things become clear to me. The student is only displaying behavior that has been reinforced at home. As I ponder over my childhood, I recall my mother saying to me on several occasions, “Don’t do as I do; do as I say.” While I love my mother dearly, she couldn’t have been more wrong than those times she spoke those words to me. Parents should also keep in mind that children are watching for behavior to mimic. If, responding to a call from a bill collector, you tell your children to tell the caller that you’re not home, you are teaching your child to lie. If you speak profanity, you are teaching your children to speak in the same manner. Parents must constantly display behavior that contributes to the healthy growth of their children. Parents must also remember their life is an unending movie constantly being viewed by their children. What will one say about the legacy you leave through your children? Parents, wise up….shape up….live up!!!