Sneaky Chocolate Milk

It started very simple. I was thirsty and wanted to enjoy a bit of sweet chocolatey yum - in the form of a chocolate milk box. My daughter was playing quietly in the room next door, and I had just finished washing dishes. I walked over to the pantry and reached for the milk box with a cartoon of a cow on the front, when suddenly a small voice behind me said "Moo?"

She had caught me.

"Moo? Moo!" She cried, and her face lit up. She pointed to the milk box, easily identifying the picture of the cow. "Moo! Moo!" as she reached up toward me with eager arms, smacking her lips in anticipation.

I was torn. Panicked, really. I had just taught her that these chocolate milk boxes were special for weekends-only. These were treats, not to be simply grabbed and punched open at-will. The weekday drinks were milk, juice, or water. Not chocolate-milk.

"Moo!"

She was starting to get confused - why was I delaying handing her the treat? After all, it was *in my hands*!

This was a clear predicament. I couldn't explain to my 15-month-old daughter the difference between MY treat and HERS. No, she was too young to understand the difference. To her, whatever I had, she wanted. Wherever I went, she followed. Whatever I ate, she ate as well.

I had to step up to the plate. I had to be the role model.

"No - no Moo today." I said, putting the box back on the shelf.

She cried. I comforted her and offered other drinks. She shook her head, crying "Moo! Moo!"

I hugged her close: "I'm so sorry, baby... I won't do that to you EVER again." And I didn't.

We parents have to understand that the FIRST rule of parenthood is to Be A Role Model. If you want a treat, your kid is allowed to want it too. We need to act with integrity and set our children to the standards we set for ourselves.

All too often, we fall short, but we don't give our children the "wiggle-room" we grant ourselves.
How many of us do the following:
-Shout at your child to "Stop Yelling!"
-Linger to chat with a parent after a playdate and then berate your child when he wants "just another 5 minutes? please?!"
-Snap at your own parent and then tell your child "you need to respect Grammy!"
-Leave a mess in the kitchen, but insist your child carefully pick up his toys
...and the list goes on.

We are human and won't be perfect. But remember that your child is watching you - imperfections and all. Strive to be better and he will too.