Finally understanding what 'lead by example' actually means

Apr 201 min read

For years I thought it meant preaching at my kids about the right way to live while I wasn't living it myself. Now I get it. When my son asked why I pray every morning even when I'm tired, instead of giving him a sermon I just said 'because it makes me better.' He started doing it without me asking. When I apologize to him sincerely after I mess up, he sees what repentance actually looks like. It's not about being perfect, it's about showing him the walk not just talking about it. Changed everything about how I parent.

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Comments(6)

DDerekNew DadApr 21

Man this hits hard. Took me a while to figure out that kids don't listen to what we say, they copy what we do. Now I try to live the way I want them to live instead of just talking about it.

AAlexRegularApr 21

Lead by example is so much harder than it sounds because it means you have to actually do the work, not just tell them what to do. That's the part that trips a lot of us up.

JJustinNew DadApr 22

Exactly. Kids call you out on your BS so fast if you're not actually living what you're preaching. Once you start actually doing it instead of just saying it, they respond differently.

BBrandonRegularApr 20

Years of preaching while not practicing here too. It finally clicked when I realized my kids are way more likely to copy what I do than what I say. Changed the whole approach.

EEricRegularApr 20

This right here. I spent so many years telling my kids what to do while doing the opposite. Finally realized they were watching my actual actions not my words. Changed everything.

PPedroRegularApr 20

This right here. I catch myself all the time about to tell one of my kids something and then realizing I need to live it first before I say it. It's humbling but it works.