Setting a Good Example

As a mom with two small kids, I am constantly forced to set an example for one thing or another. Going to work everyday, keeping things clean, and taking care of the pets are the kind of big picture things that most of us manage fairly well when we are adults. But it's much harder to set an example for smaller things, like laughing at fart jokes, swearing at other drivers, and giving advice on bullying.

My son told me that a kid at school called him a "dorkface". My immediate advice was to say, "you should call him an asshole". Then I took it back, but it was too late. I'm sure that kid will soon be called an asshole, and it's all my fault for setting a bad example.

Well, in my defense, the kid does sound like an asshole.

I'm not super paraniod about my kids hearing profanity, and I always tell my son that there are no good words or bad words, it's all in how you use them. I mean, someone can use the f-word and say the one of the meanest things to you you've ever heard. But they can also use the f-word and say one of the nicest things you've ever heard. That's one of the great things about the English language.

I'm not sure if the elementary school has that same policy as I do about swearing. So far the principal hasn't called, so I'm hopeful my son understands the difference.

And then we were at Fred Meyer this weekend and saw this on the shelf, and I couldn't help but have a good laugh:

I know it was immature, and I shouldn't have pointed it out to my son, but I couldn't help myself. Can't food manufacturers come up with a better name for this product?

So I guess all in all, the best example you can set for your kids is having a sense of humor.