Whatever role you might be playing at this time; married, single or being a grand parent, if there is anything that you wish to change in the child, first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in yourself. You have influence and you do not need a title or position. Parenting alone has influence. Which kind of influence do you want to have on a child; positive or negative? It is sad that I have witnessed a parent who began screaming because of a phone call, a mom who smokes a cigarette because she is unable to cope with stress, a Dad who begins to drink every day because life’s challenges become overwhelming. What is the child beginning to learn? It is acceptable to lose your temper. screaming at the top of their lungs when encountering difficult people. I have seen many times a mom lashing out at her child in a supermarket because she is trying to manage her kids. There are frequent times I have been in restaurants and witnessed a child out of control and the parents doing nothing. Do you know that doing nothing is teaching children that aberrant behavior is acceptable and a child is learning that any type of behavior (temper tantrums) is acceptable. If you don’t get your way, throw a temper tantrum. Unfortunately, these young children grow up into adults still throwing temper tantrums. But this time, rather than throwing food on the floor, they will punch walls, strike their spouse or significant other. This is learned behavior and the abuser will have all kinds of excuses rather than take responsibility and say it is not their fault. So today’s principle is based on what Paul the Apostle told Timothy, “….and you should imitate me, as I imitate Christ…….. The examples we set as parents for our kids, how we behave when things don’t go our way is much more important than the rules we set for them. Children will become not what you tell them, but they become who you are…………..