Positive Parenting: They're Watching You!

"I always feel like ... somebody’s watching me," was the hook that blared out of the car radio, and sure enough, as a glanced in the rearview mirror, my son was watching me like a hawk. Luckily, all I was doing was singing along to the song, but some parents just aren’t as lucky.

As a parent, whether you know it or not, you are always teaching a lesson. Life’s lessons, values and norms are delivered quite often unknowingly by parents. The wisdom of the past teaches that children remember some of what we say, but all of what we do. Because of this, it's crucial that parents take extra steps to "put themselves in check."

Kids' bad behavior can be a result of bad parenting. 

For example, if you throw items when you get angry, and weeks later notice that your child is throwing things when he or she is angry, you can bet that behavior came from you.

Or, if you're a yeller when disciplining your child, it will not be uncommon for your child to spew your words, actions and behavior back your way at some point in the future.

So, what can you do? Just take time out to evaluate yourself.

Parenting is one of the most rewarding things, but it's also one of the toughest. No parent is perfect, but positive parents will try to better themselves. Keeping in mind that you are your child’s first and most impressionable teacher will make you as a parent think twice in every situation.