In 1993, a much debated commercial by Nike showed Charles Barkley letting the world know that he was not a role model just because he could dunk a basketball. He emphatically stated that parents should be role models. While part of his statement can be debated, the other part cannot.

Parents should be role models.

To write these words, to some, might seem like a no-brainer statement. “Of course, parents are role models!” which could be a rallying mantra amongst parents. But according to various studies, parents are failing to be good role models in the areas of diet, physical activity, and their use of technology (smart phones, tablets, and television watching).

So with that, the question is not are parents role models, the more poignant question is, are parents good role models?

As families prepare for a new school year, now is a good time to establish new ways of self-monitoring which can be implemented by everyone in the home. To help everyone stay accountable to one another, schedule weekly, bi-weekly or monthly family meetings to discuss what’s going well and what’s not going well. The conversations can be driven by creating a list of current behaviors the family has established together that need changing (chores, eating, technology, communication, sharing, etc.).

If you are not doing a good job as a role model today, tomorrow can be the beginning of something new!

Without a doubt, children look to athletes, performers, and influencers for cues in culture, however, children depend on guidance from their parents to help shape the person they will ultimately become. Make sure you’re giving them something positive to aspire to.

For more support in maintaining a healthy family, checkout our books.

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