Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Have you ever stopped to think about what you do in the presence of your children? What about the impression you leave them with?

The saying is true: "children live what they learn," especially during the early stages of their development. During those years, they tend to role-play, model or mimic especially those closest to them. Parents should be careful what they do and say in their presence. Dr. Sharon Johnson, director of Health for Parents Institute, said children pick up on parents' strongest traits but also on the worst ones too. So, parents should think of their behaviour and ask themselves if this is how they want their children to behave.

Parents As Teachers

Dr. Johnson pointed out that parents should think of themselves as teachers to their children in every aspect of life - what they do or say. She further explained that even driving is a lesson, where you take a short-cut, it teaches the child how to deal with dilemmas. She also pointed out that the extent to which a parent lives a disciplined life will determine how disciplined the child's life will be. So, the parent who does not handle life well, teaches the same to the child.

Children say the darndest things

Children do make adults blush sometimes. A little boy and girl were waiting patiently for their mother. Apparently bored, they started to play. The girl told the boy to give her a massage. That was was quite a surprised. She lay waiting on the sofa while he rubbed his tiny hands together. As he did, he said, "Look out! Magic fingers," and proceeded to massage her. He rubbed her face with make-believe moisturising oil then continued, straight down her back as he moved his tiny hands in a chopping motion. Another lady was also watching them keenly. It surprised everyone who saw the action.

Below are real-life stories from parents about how their children model their (parents') lives.

"Jordan is two years old and he loves to mimic me. Most times, he picks up my cellphone, dials some numbers then puts hands akimbo and starts up a conversation in his baby-talk while bopping his head to and fro.

-Kerry Thomas

I could not do anything in the presence of my daughter, Shanae when she was younger. When she was about three years old, she did the most astonishing thing. We were at the post office with a bunch of people when she squatted down and said, "This is the way mommy pee-pee." Everyone laughed and I felt really embarrassed.

-Peaches Mckenzie

I have this habit when I get a joke I laugh and say, "Lawd, mi weak." My two-year-old daughter was playing with her father couple days ago when she laughed out and said, "Lawd, a weak." It was so funny. Also, usually when I am leaving for work, I throw my handbag over my back. I noticed that she started doing the same thing.

- Terri Evans

A couple nights ago, my mother told my two-year-old daughter good night and sent her to bed. She turned around arms akimbo, pointing her index finger and said, "No good night, no good night grandma." She was imitating me because that is what I do when I discipline her. It was so funny.

- Tashanna Wellington

My 20-month-old daughter, Karundi often pre-empts me when she is busted for doing something naughty. When I approached her to protect her or prevent her from doing something she says, "Don't do that mommy, don't do that." So she reprimands me before I get a chance to reprimand her.

- Mrs. Patricia Edwards

* Names changed to protect identity