On the Serious Tip

You know, I witnessed something on Saturday that I can't seem to shake out of my head. I was at the gym when two very overweight people were pulling their kids out of the childcare. Apparently, it sounded like they were called because their young son had been asked to leave. As I walked into the locker room, I heard the beginning of the father's "lecture". He was telling his (maybe) five year old that he needed to exhibit more "self-control". Now, while I understand what he was trying to tell his son, I thought to myself....who's modeling that for him? I mean, it IS a big deal to go the gym, especially when I knew they were there to better themselves. But, I thought it was a little hypocritical to tell a small child to exhibit self-control when it was obvious his parents struggled with the same thing (just in a different way). I am not a perfect parent, I know that. I recently read a book where the author stated that adults need to be "the people we want our children to be". I try every day to do that, and I know it's hard, but I don't think I would ever lecture my child to not do the very thing that I can not do (if that makes sense). All I know is that I want to do everything I can to be the person I want my kids to be.