Monkey see, monkey do

As our summer break starts to dwindle down we have started packing as many activities into these last few days as possible. How come the school year takes approximately I don't know 5 years to finish up, but you dare blink and bam your summer is over? As much as I am (hate to admit it) ready to get back into a routine/schedule, I will miss these carefree days. This past week we made a surprise trip to Santa's village, and while the fun had, memories made and rides were nice, the behaviors of some adults on the other hand were less then great. Even worse, their children modeled that said behavior after the fact. Monkey see, monkey do.

There is a meme that always pops up in my mom groups that is somewhat accurate and hilarious, it goes a little something like, "The doctor said children model the behavior they see, well that can't be right because they see me sleeping and still don't." Yes totally accurate in that sense and gives us moms a good laugh, but children do model what they see. If a child sees their parent yell in a time of stress or rage, they too will yell when they get frustrated or upset. Or in the case of Santa's village, when a child sees their parent treat another human being poorly, they will too. Monkey see, monkey do.

We were in line for a ride, don't ask me which one because quite frankly they all mash together after you have been spinning in circles for far too long. But anyway, another mom pushed aside two little kids to get her daughter on the color car she wanted, and when those kids moms approached the women, well she said some less then nice words. Before you knew it the little girl who got the color car she wanted, turned around and held up a loser sign and stuck her tongue out at the other kids. Classy am I right? Want to know the worst part? Her mom just smiled and gave her a thumbs up. A thumbs up? Are you kidding me?

Those two little kids were nothing sort of upset and now without a spot on the roller coaster. Just as they were making their exit to get back into the line they had already so patiently been waiting in, Addie stopped them and asked if they wanted to sit in the empty seats next to her. Not only did she ask them, but she also comforted them as they took their seats. She is 3 and a half and already has a bigger and better heart then some grown adults. She could of so easily ignored them and rode that ride all to herself but instead she chose to be the better person and lend a helping hand. In that moment all the hard days, constant battles and tearful nights were so worth it. While I may not always be the best mom, I am doing at least something right to be raising a child with a kind, gentle and respectful soul. Monkey see, monkey do.

I write this blog not as a way to boast or brag about my kid (though I was so very proud of her), but as a reminder as the school year starts to remind your children to be that helping hand to those who need it most. Be the one who sits with the kid at lunch who is all by themselves. The one who is respectful of their teachers, uses their manners and most importantly treats everyone the same. Your child's school is going to be filled with children of all different races, disabilities and personalities. Children don't discriminate, bully or hate on their own, monkey see, monkey do. Be the better person always and set a good example for your kids. And while it is important for your child's backpack to be filled with supplies, make sure their heads are just as full of the knowledge to do the right thing and be kind.

~Hearts that beat to the tune of kindness can change the rhythm of the world~