Monkey See Monkey Do: What Kind of Example Are You Setting?
August 25, 2010
Winning an argument with daughter is just about as difficult as teaching a new born algebra. A few weeks ago she was caught pointing at Tigger from Winnie the Pooh and shouting “Tigger is being stupid” and when she was confronted she argued that it was okay to say that word because SpongeBob Square Pants says it. She could have said far worse things but a 4 year old calling things stupid is unacceptable. Of course I never thought this was true because nine times out of ten my angel will pull reasons out of the sky to avoid any consequence. For example she feels that she cannot finish her dinner because someone else’s back is hurting, so hers is in too much pain to finish her veggies.
I’ll admit that the excuses are adorable, and quite hilarious but of course we as parents have to refrain ourselves from laughing at moments like this. It wasn’t until this morning when my daughter and I were watching tv with her that I actually heard SpongeBob say “Im stuuuupid” in a episode where Patrick Starfish’s parents were coming to visit him. At that very moment my daughter and I looked at one another in shock and our looks confirmed we both heard the very same thing. We knew exactly what was about to come out of my daughters mouth and not even two seconds.. “See Mommy, I told you he says it”. Try explaining why it’s okay for a children’s program to say something you don’t want the viewer to say.
What monkey sees is what monkey does. Are you displaying proper behavior around you peers? Think about it, if my 4 year old daughter is clever enough to pick up that “it’s okay to do _____, because so and so does it” anyone can. When you are with company, at work, or anywhere for that matter make sure you take a look at your actions before you are so quick to judge why other people are doing something. Perhaps they are picking up some bad habits from you. It’s easier to have the mentality “Don’t do as I do, do as I say” rather than step up to the plate and take responsibilities for your own actions.
