by Daniel G. O'Leary

Created on: November 21, 2008   Last Updated: April 26, 2010

"How do you make sure your actions influence your child in positive ways?" By example, by decision, by effort, by consistency, by honesty, by sincerity, and with heart! You make sure "your actions" are "positive" in "nature" and "purpose". By accepting the reality that your child "is watching" everything "you do", regardless of whether he /she is listening to everything you say.

The day comes with that "wonderful news" that "your child" will soon be born.

The realization that you're about to become a parent, or that you just became a parent, can really be an eye opener! Memories of when you were young come flooding back and you think about how your parents were. You think about if you'll be the same; if you'll be better, if you'll be worse. You have the opportunity, at that moment, "to change" (if you believe it's necessary), to become an "even better" role model for your child.

So you look within your heart and you decide how you're going to be. You have to be true to yourself, to what you believe. How do you make sure your actions influence you child in positive ways? You decide that you will be a positive influence on your child. Once the decision is made, you have to act on it. You have to put your mind and your body into it, effort. You have to pay attention to what and how you do things, say things. You have to set a positive example in every way. Those little eyes are going to be watching you for the rest of your life.

"You" have to think positive, speak positive, talk positive, you have to be consistent. When you're with your child, you have to set a positive example in word and action. You have to spend time with them. You have to talk "with" them, ask questions, listen to their answers (hear them). By showing them respect, they learn what respect is. By showing them tolerance, they learn what tolerance is. By showing them what you believe, so will they believe. By showing them imagination, so will they imagine. By showing them work, sweat, toil reaping rewards, so will they be rewarded.

By acknowledging their differences, and accepting their uniqueness, "you" allow them "to be them". By encouraging them to look within their heart, to find and follow the passion that lies within them, you set them "free" to be all they "can" and "should be". By your example, they learn; not to discriminate, not to prejudge, but to accept, to sacrifice and reap the rewards of unconditional love!

"How do you make sure your actions influence your child in positive ways?" With sincerity and faith burning bright as the Sun, bathing them in your light, embracing them with your warmth and love. By your positive example strong and true, that is how you make sure your actions influence your child in positive ways!

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