How Adult Behavior Shapes Children’s Futures

August 9, 2026August 9, 2026 SuzanneLeave a comment

It seems we spend a lot of time discussing the inherent rights of … well … just about everyone. But what about the rights of future generations. What about children? What about their rights…

Leaving a Blueprint: Be that person

Should children not have good examples to emulate. Short answer… Yes. But then comes the point of contention, Who bears responsibility? Naturally, most everyone defaults to parents, what they do or don’t do, but is it only a parent’s responsibility?

Maybe We Should Ask Ourselves…

If children learn by example, which we know they do… are we confident that the majority of adults openly demonstrate honest, responsible, and respectful behaviors in the presence of children?

Most importantly, are they the reasonable-minded adults that all our societies need to help nurture and shape future generations?

But First… “Look in the mirror!”

So… think about it. And… let’s be… ah… reasonable in our assessments. “Are my contributions good or, well… not so good?” Admittedly, it’s not an easy thing to ponder frankly upon.

Thankfully…

Many of us manage to set positive examples for today’s children.

Discussion on the important characteristics…

What is a RESPONSIBLE adult? How do you spot one?

First the definition. To be responsible means independently managing your life by taking accountability for your actions. It also means managing your finances and fulfilling your obligations.

With that in mind… Do we fall short?

Promise to do something but do not follow through; regularly late for appointments/events
Ignore safety rules; pedestrian walk signals, bike helmets, seatbelts, etc.
Distracted by devices when a child needs supervision/guidance
Overspending, disregarding financial restraints; borrowing money but delaying on paying back, impulse shopping without regard to household needs
Leave mess for someone else to clean; lying to avoid consequences/make excuses
Poor nutritional choices; excessive screen time; blaming someone else for shortcomings

What are the obvious traits of a RESPECTFUL adult?

Respectful means— accepting others for who they are. This holds true even if they are different from you. It also applies if you don’t agree with them. Respectful behavior demonstrates being polite/not interrupting others or causing disturbances.

With that in mind, do we…

Belittle, mock, or speak sarcastically as a means to hurt others
Speak in a condescending tone, sigh loudly, eye-rolling
Argue/shout/name-call/insult/cut in line
Refuse to listen/walk off in mid-conversation
Interrupt/talk over/act dismissive/use device while someone is talking
Gossip/speak poorly of others/post negative comments

How does a REASONABLE adult behave?

Defining reasonable as—having sound judgment, being fair and sensible, able to think, understand, and make decisions logically. Willing to be reasoned with/not prone to being foolish/unreasonable/defensive.

Evaluate whether or not we are able to be reasoned with…

Refuse to consider any other viewpoint; always needing to be right, regardless of facts
Making a scene in public when challenged/acting stubbornly
Slam door/throw things/make threats when confronted
Quick to retaliate/blame someone else/become physically aggressive
Silent treatment/refusing to have rational discussion
Choose to display mood swings/indulge in outbursts/cause tension or fear to escalate

Remember

A child may be watching. Fact: kids learn by the examples they see on a regular basis.

As responsible, respectful, and reasonable adults, let’s do the best we can to help future generations. It is within us to do so.

Improvement is only a decision away.

Thanks for the visit

Suzanne writes children’s fictional stories relating to health and making healthy choices.

Her characters are always learning how to better themselves even in the presence of unreasonableness (hehe).
Striving to be responsible and accountable is subtly woven into these character-driven health books. Find Suzanne’s author page on Amazon. (Granola Brea Health-nut series; Nevin Smart books; The Granola Experience)

Purchase one of Suzanne Rightley’s health-focused books for a child or children you know and care about. Positive examples come in many forms. These books may be the small contribution that helps you build the big picture for future generations.

Children's Health · Opinions · Parenting · Society and Values

Teaching Kids Kindness Through Positive Examples

November 16, 2025December 12, 2025 SuzanneLeave a comment

Kids need to see more examples of kindness.

Our lives are often unduly influenced by the quick comments of others. The lives of our children are affected by these comments as well. Often these remarks and actions are thoughtless.

And…. without some conscious effort on our part— a sort of ‘premeditated thought’ to remain firm to our convictions— we can be swayed to engage with, or even mimic, the poor conduct of others.

This is especially true of children. Children are vulnerable and easily manipulated.

Saying it is understandable doesn’t make it right or excusable.

As adults, we ought to be able to distance ourselves from these displays of rude outspokenness. The words and actions of others do not need to become ours going forward.

As adults, we ought to be able to reason things out. Rash behavior is simply that… rash. We do not need to fuel the irresponsible behaviors by contributing some of our own.

To that end.. let’s talk children.

*Do we want our kids to watch us act like this?*

If society is inundated with displays of poor behavior, we must take action. We ought to endeavor to do more in terms of promoting good behavior.

Set the Example for our Kids

We can make an extra effort to show random acts of kindness. This is particularly important when children are watching.

As it turns out… doing well toward our fellow man produces joy that benefits our own mental and physical health.

The reality states that we cannot change the words and actions of others but we can change our own conduct. Being pleasant, being helpful, avoiding unnecessary confrontations, and keeping our opinions to ourselves, are all things we can do.

Take a moment or two to think about how you can ‘be generous’ toward someone. Give a friendly wave to that harried motorist. They waited patiently while you crossed an icy intersection.

Your easygoing gesture is a small act of appreciation on your part. It didn’t hurt you in the least… didn’t take anything from your day.

It doesn’t mean much, yet it means a lot.

Maybe… just maybe, a young child, from a passing school bus window, witnessed your thoughtful act. And… with no conscious effort on their part, absorbed a random act of kindness as ‘normal’ human behavior.

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” Lao Tzu

Thanks for the visit.

Suzanne Rightley authors children fiction stories. Her books provide wholesome, character driven stories for independent readers ages 10+. Find her author page on Amazon.

Character Development · formative years · Opinions · Parent and child relationships · Parenting · Society and Values

Nameless Behind a Steering Wheel

December 10, 2022December 10, 2022 SuzanneLeave a comment

For some outraged drivers, sitting in the driver’s seat, affords them the freedom to yell and criticize other drivers and pedestrians.

Why is that?

The thing is, most of these same outraged people, would never vent, up close and personal, in someone’s face but within the confines of their vehicles, they become the all-knowing ‘superior drivers’ when they compare themselves to other motorists.

Their driving skills are exceptional (after all).

Sobering Fact: This blog is not likely to sway such drivers because… they already know their behaviour is unbecoming but the venting time is something they need (crave maybe) in efforts to derive a sense of control.

Surely there are other reasons, but the point of this blog is not to psychoanalyze, but rather to look at this from another vantage point… let’s say from the eyes of a five-year-old child.

OOPS!

Consider the following example…

A mom standing at a busy intersection holding her young son’s hand. The boy has his backpack proudly secured over his slim shoulders wearing a grin from ear to ear. He’s excited about going to school.

It’s a busy area with city buses coming and going in all directions because, beside a local elementary school, this is a popular bus stop for university and college students as well. Plus, there are commuters on their way to work.

As the boy and his mom wait to cross the busy street, a bus pulls up to take on ten to fifteen passengers. One of the would be passengers is an elderly man with a cane. He’s slow. Very slow…and many people are huffing about the delay but they keep silent.

Just another day in a busy life. The mom barely notices while the child seamlessly absorbs what he witnesses.

Here’s where it gets interesting…

A motorist pulls up behind the aforementioned bus and is halted, forced to come to a standstill. The other lanes are moving along at a snail’s pace, bumper to bumper. No quick lane change for the now temporarily ‘parked’ motorist.

The honking starts.

Yep… the driver is officially ‘ticked’ at the city bus. The hand goes down heavy on the horn.

From an objective (as opposed to subjective) bystander’s point of view it would go something like… “Hey, what do you expect the bus driver to do? Push a non-existent hydraulic button to raise the bus so you, ‘the important and impatient motorist’, can drive smoothly/safely under the bus?”

Ridiculous… sure. But isn’t honking at a city bus, who is…by nature of the job, at a standstill to allow commuters to board?

Aside from the obvious futility of the motorist’s outrage, at a city bus driver, is the mother’s indifference. She does not bend down to her child’s eye level and explain that the behaviour is not acceptable. What her son is seeing is a lack of patience, consideration, and etc.

For her, this is simply another ‘expected’ behaviour and therefore she gives it little thought…if any.

Meanwhile, her 5 year-old son, seamlessly absorbs what he witnesses. He assimilates the scene as ‘normal’ behaviour.

As motorists – we can do better.

As parents and other significant adults – we can take a moment to explain. Otherwise, in a few short years, this same 5 year-old will become another nameless driver who indulges in the freedom to vent at other ‘idiots’ on the road. Let’s face it… his driving skills are exceptional (after all).

Thanks for the visit

Suzanne Rightley is the author of several children’s fictional stories. Visit her author page here or website @ suzannerightley.com

Opinions · Parenting · Society and Values

Thoughtful Words or Thoughtless Remarks

December 1, 2022 SuzanneLeave a comment

To coin an old phrase… ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but…’

About that but part…

Of course, most of us are familiar with this adage…for good reason. We recognize the second part for what it is…bravado. The truth is a different matter, because yes…words can, and do, most certainly hurt us.

Whether we admit it or not, words affect us.

Kind, thoughtful words encourage, while hateful, judgmental words tear us down.

Furthermore, social media has added a whole new dimension to ‘conversations’ and not always for the best.

It’s easy to fire off a comment, a rebuttal, a criticism considering the anonymity of the Internet. A thoughtless remark has no consequence to the one making it… but to the recipient… well, the words may ‘sting’.

Much has been said about this and a lengthy post is not needed. We get it. However, a reminder, once in a while, may help us to do better.

With that in mind… consider a slight pause before pushing that send button. Think… “Would I say this, to this person, if I were face to face with him or her?”

Moreover, if we are parents, guardians, and teachers, let’s not forget – for a moment – the example we set for our children. We have the responsibility of helping them to adjust and grow into their soon to be adult-selves. If we ever hope for a kinder world, we ought to consider the impact we make on the future generation.

Suzanne Rightley is an author of children’s fiction stories. Visit her author page for a list of her books.

Visit her website at suzannerightley.com