Do parents  know what they are teaching their kids?  Or are they trying to make life difficult for them?

I was so upset by something that happened this morning that I have to tell you about it.

I was walking home from the gym, crossing the street at the lights, when a car – OK it was an SUV, but I am trying not to be prejudiced  here!- did a U turn in front of me, crossing a red light at the same time.  He nearly ran into me as I was on the crosswalk.

OK, he had seen a free parking place on the other side of the road and wanted to get it before anyone else – but he didn’t have to put me in danger to get there.

It gets worse!

As he got out of the car he spat on the road – UGH! – this was obviously a guy I wanted nothing to do with.  He had left his car at a meter but made no attempt to put any money in or check if there was an time left from the previous person’s parking time.

By this time I had decided that this guy was a jerk.  But that was not what upset me so much.  What really upset me was when two kids, aged about 7 and 9,  got out of the back of the car to follow him into the store.

These children had witnessed everything he had done.  They would have been left thinking that what their father did was fine, they would probably grow up doing the same things themselves!

My immediate reaction, being a teacher at heart, was that I wouldn’t want those kids in my class.  I wouldn’t want to be the one that had to handle their bad behavior, or have to deal with their father.

Surely this father must have known what he was teaching his children?  He must have known that he was setting them up for a lifetime of problems?

He was being more than a jerk- he was being a totally irresponsible parent.

Your child loves you and wants to be like you.  Don’t be an irresponsible parent, be aware that your actions, any actions, have a real and lasting influence on your child’s life.

When your kids are around, don’t be a jerk!

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