92) Teach children lessons - Giving credit where due

"Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house."
Matt.13:57.

When Jesus walked this earth 2000 years ago, a section of people did not give him credit for the wondrous deeds he performed. That prompted him to say that a prophet like him was not recognized in his hometown. His detractors stopped at not giving him credit.

We go further. Not only do we not give credit where it is due, but also steal credit from those who should have it. Seeing us blatantly flout decency, our children act likewise. They take credit for acts not performed by them - like taking credit for homework and projects completed by parents or older siblings, taking credit for answers provided by others to difficult questions, winning games by cheating. Unless we check this habit as it starts, they can become crafty manipulators. But before we attempt to change them, we need to change ourselves.

91) Teach Children Lessons - Imitation

"The proof of love is imitation." Saint Augustine.

Responding to a question on who his role models were, Jason Araghi founder of Araghi's Green Bean Coffee Worldcafe Company said: "My parents. They are my heroes.Their story is about being good role models." Immigrants from Iran to the USA during the revolution which saw the fall of the Shah, they had to face very hard times. Right through those tough days his parents lived in dignity, teaching him to be a good human being. Those lessons are indelibly printed in his mind.

He chose to set up his parents whom he loved dearly as his role models and decided to imitate them. That is what love does.

How do we score? Do our children love us enough to make us role models? If not, why?