Comments on: Super Model Parents

By: Free Family Tree

Free Family Tree — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 04:21:16 +0000

Me and my husband want to be a good parent.

By: KRISTY M. XIONG

KRISTY M. XIONG — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:05:41 +0000

Thanks to Laura for writing about this very important topic about being a role model to your kids. I am really glad to come across your post today because I think that it remind me as a parent to set a good example for my kids by being a role model. I remembered when I was a kid, my mother was a perfect role model for me because she taught me how to be a good kid, how to share toys and food with other kids and how to save money. She also taught me not to be gossip conversations around because it’s bad and its can cause a lot of problems which may bring enemies to me, too. As I grew up, I saw how my parents set good example for me and my siblings which made me love them even more. That’s why, even to these days when I become a parent to my children, I still remember all those things that my mother taught me as a kid. I, too will teach my kids the same way as well. I know that it’s very hard to be a good role model to my kids but I’ll do my best to set good examples for them.

So thanks to Laura again for this important post. I’ll be coming back here often to check out new important posts.

By: Stop. Think. Show a Little Character « Dr. Robyn Silverman’s Blog

Stop. Think. Show a Little Character « Dr. Robyn Silverman’s Blog — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:00:10 +0000

[...] There are daily opportunities to put our character into active motion. As parents, we must recognize them and make the choice to take them. These two steps are crucial to not only making the world a better place but also showing children that we actually do in fact “walk the talk.” [...]

By: Do Children Listen When Celebrities Say Dumb Things? Taking LSD to Improve Self Esteem « Dr. Robyn Silverman’s Blog

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:30:31 +0000

[...] and do–but celebrities really need to take heed, don’t you think? It makes you think; what makes a good role model? I mean, look what happened when Miley Cyrus did one ridiculous thing– the world stopped for [...]

By: Lara

Lara — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 23:58:27 +0000

Thanks, Bart and Shaping Youth – hope to hear more from you!

By: Powerful Role Models: Seven Ways to Make a Positive Impact on Children « Dr. Robyn Silverman’s Blog

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:53:54 +0000

[...] (3) Apologize and admit mistakes: Nobody’s perfect. When you make a bad choice, let those who are watching and learning from you know that you made a mistake and how you plan to correct it. This will help them to understand that (a) everyone makes mistakes; (b) it’s not the end of the world; (c) you can make it right; and (d) you should take responsibility for it as soon as possible. By apologizing, admitting your mistake, and repairing the damage, you will be demonstrating an important yet often overlooked part of being a role model. (This point began some great conversation on parents and role models in the comments below and here.) [...]

By: Bart Lewis - Parents, Geeks & God

Bart Lewis - Parents, Geeks & God — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:10:23 +0000

You are so right. Parents really do need to BELIEVE that they are a VITAL example in the lives in their children. So many leave it to the teachers, coaches, pastors…but the kids really WANT to have their parents more involved. They want to look up to their parents.

Great post! Love your blog, I’m glad I found it. I’ll be back here often.

By: Shaping Youth

Shaping Youth — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:45:59 +0000

Lara this is a great reminder to parents (that feel out-shouted by the media) and kids (that feel role models are non-existent lately!) to look right under our noses…At Shaping Youth we have an enrichment game that riffs off of American Idol, called “Idolized” to ask kids to come up with better role models, and it’s not surprising that most start with ‘their parents’…and then we segue to ’sift and sort’ to find some in pop culture. (difficult, but doable…would love to hear your reader’s thoughts on this…)

Also, Robyn, I think you nailed it with the vulnerability quotient on parents themselves…we NEED to be able to share our own flaws and step off that pedestal, especially if you’re in a ‘power position’ with external visibility. As the founder of nonprofit Shaping Youth, (dealing w/media & marketing’s impact on kids) my daughter has said alarmingly misguided things to me before like, “well, I can’t be PERFECT like you, mom” which she KNOWS is a huge ‘hot button’ for me, since it’s a fallacy fed by people who have framed things in ‘expert’ terms. (I’m a long shot from infallible that’s for sure, so I always have to trot out my most vulnerable, soul-searing stories so she ‘gets it’ very clearly)

I urge other parents to do the same to remain ‘connected’ rather than upheld as a role model hero beyond reproach. After all, as Steinem said, “A pedestal is as much a prison as any small space.”

In other words, ‘Keep it real’…Great post, thanks!

By: Dr. Robyn Silverman

Dr. Robyn Silverman — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:37:51 +0000

Thanks, Lara.

So glad the article inspired you to write about this very important topic about being a role model to your kids. I was thinking this morning, as I was having breakfast with my mother, how I used to think she was perfect. This is a common perception of children since our parents are our superheroes in many ways.

As I grew up, I saw my parents’ faults– which made them more human and actually, made me love them even more. One of the most powerful things that a parent can do is admit mistakes and move forward to make things better. It teaches children that mistakes are normal, fixable, and some of life’s best lessons. It shows that you can still have confidence in your abilities and who you are even when you falter. What a gift a parent can give to a child.

Thanks again, Lara-

Dr. Robyn