joseephuss
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http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2010/06/02/the-smoking-baby-when-kids-pick-up-our-bad-habits/
The Smoking Baby: When Kids Pick Up Our Bad Habits
By now, I’m guessing most readers have seen, or are at least aware of, Ardi the smoking baby. Some are finding the 2-year-old Internet star with a two-pack-a-day habit funny. I find it disturbing.
To me, the video serves as a reminder that our kids are always watching us, especially young children who learn mostly by mimicking or “modeling,’ as the experts call it.
Recently my 20-month-old has taken to picking up random objects and babbling into them while pacing around the house, as if she was on the telephone.
While it is cute to watch her march around like a tiny grown-up, carrying on an imaginary baby-talk conversation into a Mickey Mouse figurine, it made me wonder what other habits she may pick up as she watches my husband and I move through our daily juggle of work, housework and childcare.
How long will it be before she starts picking up on some of our bad habits? I know my husband and I could both have more patience with our hectic lives. I don’t want to teach her that the appropriate response to stress is to get more stressed. And how long before she stubs her toe and shouts a curse word?
Undoubtedly, Clare is picking up a lot of great habits: She is gentle and kind with our two dogs and on her last play date delighted in bringing her toys over to her friend Zoe to share. She enjoys exploring the plants and animals in our neighborhood with her environmentally-conscious dad. She is affectionate and friendly, waving to the shoppers and check-out clerks as we make our way through the supermarket. And, of course, with three retired teachers for grandparents and an editor mom, she loves being read to.
Readers, have your children picked up on any of your habits, good or bad? Do you wish you had juggled something better that you feel your child has picked up on? Do you or would you smoke in front of your child?
The Smoking Baby: When Kids Pick Up Our Bad Habits
By now, I’m guessing most readers have seen, or are at least aware of, Ardi the smoking baby. Some are finding the 2-year-old Internet star with a two-pack-a-day habit funny. I find it disturbing.
To me, the video serves as a reminder that our kids are always watching us, especially young children who learn mostly by mimicking or “modeling,’ as the experts call it.
Recently my 20-month-old has taken to picking up random objects and babbling into them while pacing around the house, as if she was on the telephone.
While it is cute to watch her march around like a tiny grown-up, carrying on an imaginary baby-talk conversation into a Mickey Mouse figurine, it made me wonder what other habits she may pick up as she watches my husband and I move through our daily juggle of work, housework and childcare.
How long will it be before she starts picking up on some of our bad habits? I know my husband and I could both have more patience with our hectic lives. I don’t want to teach her that the appropriate response to stress is to get more stressed. And how long before she stubs her toe and shouts a curse word?
Undoubtedly, Clare is picking up a lot of great habits: She is gentle and kind with our two dogs and on her last play date delighted in bringing her toys over to her friend Zoe to share. She enjoys exploring the plants and animals in our neighborhood with her environmentally-conscious dad. She is affectionate and friendly, waving to the shoppers and check-out clerks as we make our way through the supermarket. And, of course, with three retired teachers for grandparents and an editor mom, she loves being read to.
Readers, have your children picked up on any of your habits, good or bad? Do you wish you had juggled something better that you feel your child has picked up on? Do you or would you smoke in front of your child?
