What We Pass on to Them

I’m a nail biter. Always have been and always will be, at least off and on. Right now, all my nails have “a little white” on the ends but on any give day they could have no white or twice to three times as much as they do now. You just never know with me.

And guess who else is a nail biter? Yep, that’s right. My 5 year old. I actually had to check the “YES” box next to the question “Does your child bite his/her nails?” on his Kindergarten paperwork. I tell him not to do it but then there I sit next to him on the sofa, doing exactly what I’ve just told him not to do. What’s that word again? Oh yeah, Hypocrite.

So, the other day, as I was chompin’ on my “whites” he said, “Mommy, quit biting!” and it hit me – what other bad habits or quirks will I pass on to my kids that I SO did not mean to, but just kinda happened?

Will it be the way that I leave clutter and “piles” in certain parts of the house?

Or perhaps the fact that I leave the t.v. on a lot of times just for background noise.

Or maybe the way I neglect to make my bed anymore unless company is coming (namely my Mother…)

Or my shopping chocolate, blogging addiction….

Anyway, I just wonder. Of course there are positive things that they could take from me as well. Although I don’t have a list of those right this moment.

So last night as I lay next to my little nail biter, tucking him into bed, I snuggled up closer to him while thinking about how the decision to bite his nails is only the beginning of the indepedent choices he will make. And as he drifted off I prayed an extra prayer that he would grow up to make good choices in his life, for his life and those he brings into it in the future.

And then I figured if biting his nails turns out to be on par with the worst thing he ever does, then I’ve done a pretty good job as his mother after all…

(Dear God, please let it be on par with the worst things he ever does. Amen)

So of course I have to pose the question – what little habits or quirks are you afraid of passing on (and don’t worry, I won’t judge)?

Oh and if you haven’t “voted” on the gender of the baby yet (we find out on Thursday), check the left sidebar and vote! : )