5 Things I Advise My Kids to Avoid, Yet I Can’t Resist Doing Myself

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As parents, we often strive to be the role models our kids need. We know they learn more from our actions than our words. But let’s be honest: there are times when I find myself giving my kids advice that I definitely don’t follow myself. It’s a bit of a double standard, and I’m sure I’m not alone in this. So, here are five things I tell my kids not to do, but I totally do when they’re not around!

1. Going Overboard with Treats
   When we come home with a mountain of candy from holidays or birthday parties, I strictly limit my kids to just one piece a day for three days. Yup, just three pieces! Meanwhile, after they’re tucked in bed, you can bet I’m sneaking into their candy stash, eyeing the chocolate-covered delights. I probably should feel guilty about it, but I don’t really.
2. Neglecting Sleep
   My kids have a routine: the oldest goes to bed at 8 p.m., and the twins are out by 7:15 p.m. You’d think I’d take my own advice about getting enough rest to be energized for the next day. But no! I often find myself pushing bedtime back to finish up some work or binge-watch my favorite show. It’s a classic case of “do as I say, not as I do” when I groggily sip my coffee the next morning, and my oldest reminds me, “You should go to bed early, Mom!”
3. Binge-Watching Series
   Right now, I’m hooked on a rewatch of The Office (definitely not helping my sleep schedule!). I tell my kids they can only watch one episode a day, but here I am, convincing myself to watch “just one more” episode. My kids didn’t even get to watch TV until they were three, and yet here I am, binging shows like there’s no tomorrow.
4. Using Grown-Up Language
   While I do my best to keep my kids from picking up any naughty words, it’s hard to deny that I don’t always practice what I preach. My eldest has picked up some phrases that make me cringe, like “Bam!” that sounds suspiciously like something I might say when I stub my toe. I may mutter my colorful versions of “poopy head” when I think they can’t hear me, but they definitely do.
5. Being a Couch Potato
   I love that my kids are always active and ready to play, but I have to admit that I’m often glued to the couch. Sure, I have my moments of motivation—like when I buy new workout gear after a doctor’s visit—but those spurts rarely last beyond a couple of weeks. I try to sneak in a walk here and there, but let’s face it, I could definitely use more consistency in my exercise routine.

Despite these slip-ups, I also try to model a few good habits, like reading together, eating healthy meals (most of the time), and spending quality time outdoors. We all want what’s best for our kids, which is why I still push them towards healthy habits while I sneak a few treats myself. Hopefully, I can work on being more mindful of my own advice and focus on one goal at a time. If I can limit my screen time, get a good workout in, or hit the sack earlier, maybe I’ll start taking better care of myself, just like I do for them.

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Summary

It’s an amusing reality that as parents, we often find ourselves giving advice we don’t follow ourselves. From sneaking sweets to binge-watching shows, these habits highlight the humorous contradictions in parenting. While it’s essential to guide our children, we also grapple with our own challenges in modeling healthy behaviors. Balancing our ideals with reality can be tricky, but it’s all part of the journey.