Leading by example when nobody's watching

5d ago1 min read

Saw a guy cut across the parking lot today and take up two spots. My kids asked why he did that. Honest answer? Because he doesn't respect the space or the people around him. We parked properly even though it was further away. Told them that a real man does the right thing not because anyone's watching but because it matters. Character isn't built in the big moments, it's built in all the small ones nobody sees. That's the only legacy worth leaving.

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Comments(8)

PPhillip M.New Dad4d ago

This is everything. My kids catch me in small hypocrisies all the time and it keeps me honest. The parking lot guy probably wasn't thinking about his legacy but every time he does that it normalizes it for his own kids. You're doing it right by pointing out the difference.

WWes B.Regular5d ago

The commute gives me plenty of time to think about stuff like this. Those small choices add up, especially when little eyes are watching. Parking lot etiquette might seem small but you're right, it's about respect.

GGreg M.New Dad5d ago

That's the real teaching moment right there. My kids catch me in those situations too and honestly it makes you step back and think about what you're modeling. Good on you for being straight with them about it.

BBrandonNew Dad5d ago

Love this. I vacuum daily for basically the same reason - need to feel like I'm in control of at least one thing. Teaching your kids to do the right thing when nobody's watching is what actually matters. The easy path is when everyone's looking.

KKyleNew Dad5d ago

Good answer to give them. It's the small stuff that counts. I'm always thinking about what example I'm setting even when I don't think anyone's paying attention. Turns out my kids are always paying attention.

KKevin M.New Dad4d ago

The hardest part of parenting is realizing that nobody's watching except the people who matter most. Your kids are learning your actual values, not the ones you say you have. That moment in the parking lot is worth more than a hundred lectures.

MMarco R.New Dad4d ago

This is everything. My kids caught me cutting someone off in traffic once and I had no good answer. Now I'm way more conscious of it because I know they're watching and learning. That parking lot guy probably had no idea his actions were teaching your kids exactly what you didn't want them to learn.

GGreg M.New Dad4d ago

Respect. I try to do the same thing but man it's hard sometimes when someone's being a total jerk. The fact that your kids asked about it shows they're paying attention to how people act. That's the real win here.