A ‘Better’ Resolution for 2012

It’s traditional to look forward in the New Year. We leave behind the old year, planning and hoping to make the new one better in so many different ways.

This is why we make New Year’s resolutions. It could be we want to lose weight or we want to start a new hobby or we want to try for that promotion at work.

In my Court, we witness daily examples of families in crisis as well as children suffering from neglect or abuse. Because of those experiences, I hope that one of your resolutions is to become the best possible example to your children in 2012.

Children see and then children do, as it shows in a video I like to share when I speak to the community.

The people children copy fastest are their parents. When you lose your temper or when you pass on chances to show compassion to others, your child learns and begins to emulate what you’ve just taught them.

When you make hate-filled comments or when you make bad choices about drugs or alcohol, your child is watching you and learning how to act.

In this year, I encourage you to leave behind the habits and actions that you do not want your child to copy. It is a very tough goal, as every parent knows only too well. But the effort is worth it because your child is worth it.

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.” ~~ Ben Franklin
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