Leading by example, or modeling, is a basic building block of parenting. Yes, all the work in keeping the child safe and making sure they’re fed are imperatives, but in the role you have in developing a human being, how you exist in the world is going to do more of the teaching than any lecture or lesson you plan to give as they get older.
It can suck that we’re held to such a high standard, right?
But, don’t worry, you don’t have to be perfect. But it does help to be self-aware enough to know when you screw up and you’re humble enough to let your child know that.
The website Fatherly quoted me in an article cheekily titled, “Young Children Understand Fairness, But Act Like Hypocrites Anyway”. Let me know if you agree!
And if you’d like to talk about our working together, please give me a call or drop me an email.
Justin Lioi, LCSW is a men’s mental health and relationship expert based in Brooklyn, NY (and online throughout New York State and internationally.) He received his degree from New York University and has been providing counseling for men and their families for over 10 years. Justin is on the Board of the National Association of Social Workers and writes a weekly column for the Good Men Project called Unmasking Masculinity. He can be found on local and national podcasts talking about assertiveness, anger, self-compassion, all with the goal of becoming the man you want to be.