I may be a juggling mum and have most things under control. But when it comes to driving, that where I fail miserably. I got my driving license 10 years years ago and by right, driving to me should be easy peasy by now. But just like teaching a child to ride a bike, we all know that practice makes perfect. And that sums up why I’m so lousy at it because no drive equals no practice.
Over the weekends, I had to drive. Had to because my dear husband extracted two of his wisdom teeth and was feeling very uncomfortable behind the wheels. So as his wife, here’s when I have to rise to the occasion to relieve him. So I agreed to take over, grudgingly.
My little back seat driver was observing me and parroting Alexis’s instructions to me to slow down, drive straight, don’t turn so fast. Sensing that I was getting more and more frustrated as I drove, she told me, “Mummy, don’t drive until so angry. Just drive. Drive slowly okay.” In my head, I thinking that having her in the car is such a bad idea as she’s seeing the worst of me.
At some point when I have to manuveour between changing gears and the hand brakes to go up a slope, I nearly burst out crying and exclaimed exasperatedly at my husband and child, “I’m trying, I trying my best ok!”
And my dear 4-year old said gold that afternoon.
”Yes, mummy, you must try. Most important is to try then you will learn. This is what you teach me right?”
Upon hearing her reminder, my heart swelled with pride as tears started to well up in my eyes and all I wanted to do was to hug my little cheer leader for her encouragement. It was a precious and teachable moment for me as I was reminded me of how I am my child’s greatest role model. My constant reminders to Sophie to keep trying and give her best didn’t fall on deaf ears as she was now teaching mummy the same lesson about tenacity and not giving up.
As parents, we have tremendous influence in our children’s life. And word I say or even the unspoken body language on how I react to stress and to tough situations do not go unnoticed by my child’s watchful eye. I pray I will never be the parent who says, do what I say, not what I do. That’s why it’s important to be aware of how we are behaving in front of our kid so that we ourselves model the kind of person we would like to raise them up to be.
I’m still a work in progress and hopes that Sophie sees that as we all learn to be a better person each day.
What do you do to be a role model for your children?
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Great to hear that Sophie looks up to you as a role model.. I’m sure she is learning a lot from you on how to be a good person.
Thanks for having confidence in my parenting. I have more to learn from you 🙂
Good job Susan! I took to the wheels about 11 – 12 years after not driving too and I remember that my knees were shaking and my heart was thumping. So I know that it is not too easy and yes, the most important thing is that we try. 🙂 Sophie is your little angel too, cheering you on and reminding you. *Pom Poms in the air*
Hubby insist it will get easier when I drive more often and I have to agree. It would be easier if Sophie wasn’t around to give me instructions. This little girl is really starting to sound more and more like me.
So true! They can be really encouraging when you least expected.
Yes, a pleasant surprise too 🙂
What a great post – I just love what she said!
At one point I didn’t drive for nearly a year and it was terrifying get back behind the wheel at first.
Heart melting isn’t it 🙂
For sure we are the biggest role models our children will come across – especially when they are little before they go to school.
I wanted K to know that it is OK to make mistakes, to learn from those mistakes and, if you do something wrong, to apologise for it.
HAve the best day !
Me
That’s a great lesson for kids to learn, to learn to apologise for their mistakes. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
Its just so much more encouraging when it comes out of the mouths of babes. 🙂
Indeed, it is 🙂
It’s a little scary when you really just how much your kids are watching you. I often only realise when they have just copied a terrible habit 🙂
It is really amazing how our behaviour leaves such a lasting impression on our kids! We are a lot more careful with what we do and say now and am mindful that Aly is constantly watching and learning from us.
How your child behaves is very much a reflection of the parents’ teachings and values and you have obviously taught Sophie well!