“Do as I say, not as I do” This is the hypocrite’s mantra, an expression abused by parents for years to justify the fact that they are modeling bad behavior. I think about some of the things that I say to my daughter and then think about my own actions. I realized something. I am not always leading by the best example. How can I ask something of my daughter that I don’t always follow myself?
“Pick up your mess.” – I am not sure how I could ever get that statement out with a straight face. As I speak the words out loud, my mind wanders to my unmade bed, the pile of laundry sitting in my hamper & the tumbleweeds of dog hair that just rolled over my feet. I am just waiting for her to say “I’ll pick up my toys when you run a Swiffer over this floor.”
“Don’t say no to Mommy” – No! I said don’t say no. No, don’t shake your head no. No, I said no. Why are you still saying “no” to mommy? Maybe I should try only saying yes.
“No sweets before dinner. It will ruin your appetite.” – These words have been muttered as I ducked behind the kitchen island to pop a handful of Hershey kisses in my mouth.
“Mama, what you eatin?”
“It’s a piece of broccoli, honey. Broccoli is good for dinner.”
I think she bought it. Is there any chocolate on my teeth?
“Don’t yell at the dog” – Perhaps, I raise my voice occasionally at our furry baby.
“DuUuUuUkE!, GET IN THE HOUSE!” “SToOoOOoooP BaRkInG!” “DON’T SNIFF THE BABY’S BUTT!!”
OK, I am definitely to blame for her yelling at our pup. I have however, never put a towel on his back & tried to ride him like a horse. She came up with that one all on her own.
“We have to put your jacket on. It is cold outside.” – I have been known to walk out of my house in the dead of winter with flip flops on. A few years ago I got poison ivy on my chest because I brought in the firewood from outside wearing nothing but a pair of underwear & sneakers. Don’t judge me.
“It’s late, it is time to go to bed” – I think my daughter has a checklist under her pillow of excuses for why she shouldn’t go to sleep.
“Mama, I need juice for my throat.” Check!
“My tummy hurts, I need a rub.” Check!
“I want a cheese sandwich.” Check!
I think she forgot “Mama, I got a poop in my butt.”
I have a similar list.
The Big Bang Theory marathon is on tonight. Maybe I should do some housework. (I can’t even say that without laughing). I need to write in my blog. So here I am typing away at midnight thinking “Wow, it’s late. I should probably go to bed, but of course I won’t, because I need juice (wine) for my throat too.
If Mai asks I went to sleep at 8 o’clock.
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39 comments
Hypocrite here too and definitely guilty as charged, but same as you how could I not smile at some of the retorts I get 😉
I have to start putting myself in timeout, too. Bad mommy! No chocolate before dinner. “But I like chocolate.”
Hehe, mine cannot speak so many words, yet. But all the other stuff, dead on…
Lol! I don’t even realize most of the time until one thing happens and I am like, Awww crap, well no wonder.
Bahaha!! This is priceless! How many of these I too follow suit on. Hilarious. . .but also quite reflective. 🙂
Thank you, Sasha. Mommy has to learn to behave herself too.
🙂
My kids are 7 & 10 and fight me on going to bed every single night. I wonder when that stops?
I am not sure. I feel like it doesn’t. I remember returning home for the holidays when I was an adult and still arguing with my mother about what time I should go to bed. Lol! You never stop being a mom I guess.
This made me laugh! I do the same things and I also love Big Bang Theory =-)
Thank you. The Big Bang Theory is my favorite. My husband and I like it so much we are going as Sheldon and Amy this year for Halloween. Lol!
It is so hard to walk the walk that I talk! Loved this post 🙂
Yeah, it is tough to always be the role model. I try my best to do right by my child, but I do falter from time to time and then some.
Fellow hypocrite here! Sigh. But it’s how we survive.
We all try our best. It is all that we can do.
All parents are definitely hypocrites. I never thought about many of the ways we are, though!
We are in so many ways. You want better for your children than you give to yourself.
I think we’re all guilty of doing this.. just like most parents tell little white lies (Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Santa..)
What do you mean? Santa’s a lie? Awww man. Lol! It is true. Good point.
Oh yeah…let the mom guilt begin! It happens to the best of us. Maybe instead of saying “no”…offering an “instead”.
I try not to use no, but it is just so instinctive. It slips out time and time again.
Thanks GOD, my oldest son, never argue about his bed time sleep. During school, he sleep at 8 pm but in the weekend, he has to sleep at 8.30 pm. He is 8 years old.
It is funny how they mimic us and when we see it we have to just laugh. I remember my kiddos trying to ride the dog when they were little, lol
She torments out poot dog. She loves him, but someone does not grasp that he is not her toy. I ask her say sorry to the dog when she is mean to him and she will say “Dukey not talk, Mommy.” Lol!
Kids love to mimic primarily their parents. But there are times that they do that when we’re not in the mood or the statement is not right for the kids to learn. Everyone commit mistakes. It our duty as parents to be a good guardian to our kids.
Yep, there are those times I feel guilty too. But kids just loves to imitate their parents especially when they are that young. Everybody commits mistakes. It is important for us parents to be careful and good guardian to our kids.
I try, I swear I do, but this mommy is far from perfect. I am learning everyday.
Very much the same with me and my daughter! We’re just not always as perfect as we would want to 🙂
i think all of us parents do the whole do as i say at some point in our parenthood.
Thank you. It is nice to know that is not just me.
Yes, I’m right there with you, behind that counter with chocolate in my teeth. Its good to stop and remember that children learn and copy the behavior they see. Not the words they hear. Great post!
Thank you. They are really so clever. They even know when you are trying to pull the wool over their eyes.
This is quite funny yet so very true! I think we are all guilty of this at some point. Wonderful post!
Thank you so much. Thank you for stopping by. 🙂
cracked me up!! “no honey, it’s broccoli!” Love it!
I am so bad. I sneak junk food behind my daughter’s back all the time. Bad mommy, bad!
lol…this was an entertaining post. Omgoodness…I don’t know what I would do if I had poison ivy on my chest. You made me itch just thinking about it.
LOl! Yeah, it sucked. It was definitely not my finest moment. I learned my lesson for sure.
I think I have hypocrite written on my forehead! I say all of these multiple times a day!