Last week on LinkedIn, during a conversation about unacceptable behaviours in the workplace, Elon Musk and Steve Jobs were used as examples.
My considerate friend Heidi Ni highlighted that while we can all judge Jobs and Musk for their thoughtless and disrespectful behaviours – how many of us would withstand scrutiny if our own behaviours towards our loved ones – especially our children- were assessed? 🤐 😕 🤔
I live from across a playground, and I watch the interaction of parents and children every single day. What I have observed and learnt is this.
Many of us can be quite controlling – for whatever reasons. But we are sometimes unnecessarily so with our children – with whom we can understandably lack patience.
I came to this realisation. If you are a parent, your children want to engage with difficult and challenging moments WHERE THEY SAVE FACE – just like adults do, too. 😞 🙁 😥
They too, just like all the adults, want to walk away from a situation without their dignity compromised.
And dignity means worthy of honour, or respect.
So here is something to aspire to. If you wouldn’t speak to your manager or colleagues that way, then don’t speak to your loved ones – especially your children – that way. 🙈 🙉 🙊
Yes, I know it’s easier said than done.
But don’t be like me – who on my darkest days, I wish I had been more loving in my words with my children.
It’s lucky neither of them needed therapy to get over it. 😁 😃.
But my harsh words from years ago hover in the recesses of my mind, haunting me sometimes. I can’t change this. But you can avoid this.
#smallthingsmatter #bethechange #bebettereveryday
