Did you hear me?
My Darling Daughter, now three-and-a-half-years-old, shows an amazing ability to comprehend, extrapolate, and understand… sometimes. She has also learned how to ignore me – sometimes intentionally, and sometimes merely because she is wrapped up in her own imagination. Add to this the chaos and pandelerium that is present in any house with small children, and it leaves a Dad wondering if his message is getting across.
Lately, I’ve found myself lecturing. I lecture my DD, The Wife, the dog, the Internets, strangers on the street, and worst of all, the charactures that perform everyday on AM Talk Radio. Then, like any good Dad, I follow up my lecture with the witty, and oh so charming: “Did you hear me?”
As I’ve evaluated this technique, I can already look into the future and see my not-yet-teenagers rolling their eyes and casting furtive glances at each other. It is my not so humble opinion, that this would not be good.
No one likes a lecture, and no one in his right mind wants the lecture followed up by a condescending, cranky old man singing his one verse song: “Did you hear me?”
So, I think I’ll stop lecturing and start leading by example. What do you think?
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Confessing my Dad Attitude 
Leading by example is good. But sometimes you really do have to ask “Can you hear me?”.
My 10 yo will get so in to her own world that she has learned to say “Yes” and nod her head when she literally has not heard a single word you have said. You have to bring them back the current reality to be sure they can even comprehend that you’re leading by example.
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Yeah, I guess it’s that “balance thing“. I know there’s a balance, cuz I see it when I swing past!
You’re right – there are times. I just don’t want to overstep my welcome.
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