Find Out What It Means To Me!

When my oldest daughter was born 12 years ago, I received the most important piece of advice I had ever been given. It was given to me by my aunt, Jerri Ann. She told me that the key to a happy family was to respect my mate, respect my child, and respect myself. Being 20 years old at the time, I had no idea what she was talking about, but it struck me so deep that I mentally filed it away until I could understand what it meant.
It didn't take me very long to realize what she meant, and I have tried to live by those rules. I respect Mark, not only as the head of our household (so he thinks), but also as my husband and best friend. I respect my children, I try very hard to realize that they are actually really little people with feelings and thoughts of their own. I also respect myself. It works out because by following my lead, we all respect each other. Now that's not to say that I don't have a few smart ass kids, but they are still great.
If I could talk to every parent out there, I would ask them to please use that same rule of thumb with their kids. Alas, this isn't true though. Case in point, I took my kids to the park the other day and there was a gang of teenagers loitering around. I could not believe the language coming out of their mouths! Now, I am not a prude, if you know me for more than a minute, you realize that I drop the "f" bomb more than most sailors, but I try to be respectful with it. I won't say it in certain company, but I do say it, alot.
After listening to the colorful language for a few minutes, I realized I had a choice to make. Before I even thought about it, I made that choice. I jumped up and in my meanest tone of voice I could muster, I told them to watch their mouths in front of my kids. Now by nature, I am a very laid back person, totally not into confrontation, but I just couldn't allow the disrespect to go on anymore. After I had my say, I was scared to death. What if they wanted to fight? What if they scratched the f word into my car? But none of that happened, they scattered. I was greatful.
I am not a perfect mom by any means. I raise my voice on the average of once every 17 minutes. I get exasperated. I lose my patience. But I try to maintain that line of respect. I just wish other people would teach their kids the same thing, I think the world would be a lot better place to live.