Monkey See, Monkey Do

Being a parent makes you very cognizant of most everything you say and you do.  Why?  Because there are always little eyes watching and ears listening, even when you don't think they are.  Out of the blue, she'll repeat something I might have said months ago.  It might not have even been to her, but to Scott, and Brooke happened to be in the room next door.  It strikes you how much they take in, and how much you're influencing their development and future behavior.  An enormously powerful responsibility.

It makes you want to be a better person.  Each day to model those behaviors and words that you want your child to exhibit as they grow older.  To be a better person than you are, as we all have our faults.  You don't necessarily carry through on it everyday, but they'll remind in a subtle way by saying or doing something you do.

They say kids learn more from actions than the words...as in "Do as I Do" versus "Do as I Say".  I would agree, though you still have to watch what you say!  (subtle hint to husband when he's verbally watching hockey)