Out of the Mouths of Babes...

It's no secret that Drew and I travel...a lot.  We recently went to Riveria Maya for a week of the most relaxing vacation we have ever taken.  We landed back at Philadelphia International and were maneuvering our way through customs and were finally permitted back into the United States shortly after the rude smirk of the last TSA agent (welcome home indeed).  We were herded like cattle through the homestretch weaving in and out of tired travelers and their luggage and were stuck behind what looked to be the conclusion of a family reunion.  A young boy in front of us, maybe ten or eleven, wheeled his luggage with ease as he glanced left out the steamed windows and down at the highways below. 

"Yep.  Traffic.  Must be back in Jersey," he said nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders.

Without missing a beat his father grumpily mumbled, "We're in Philly."

I immediately covered my grin with the back of my hand in a poor attempt to contain my laughter.  Drew turned abrubtly and asked, "Why is that so funny?"

Why is that so funny??!!  Because an eleven year old has no frame of reference or concern with traffic!  Clearly he is parroting his father's ranting and raving about the ever-constant and seemingly endless construction that is ALL OVER southern NJ.  Does he have to be behind the wheel forcing his way into lanes by giving a polite wave only to be given the finger in return?  Does he have to purposefully avoid eye contact with the driver to his right so as to not be a victim of road rage?  NO! It doesn't impact him in the least yet he still knows the "right time" to make a comment about the woes of traffic.  That's why it is so funny.

And then it got me thinking about the importance of monitoring the way we talk in front of children.  Modeling appropriate behavior, language and choices are the most powerful means of education.  We need to be the role models for our children by living and leading an exemplary life.  I guess this is why my mother always used phrases like "Oh fish!" and "Cheese and crackers!"  instead of the real thing.  The same effect?  Maybe.  But I'm sure if a six year old spilled milk and yelled, "Oh fish!" it would be followed by laughter and not pure embarrassment.  So think before you speak and act in front of the youngsters.  And if you slip up and they mimic you, the only person you can be upset with is yourself.