The Daily Dad

Aren’t You A Little Old For That?

Feb 9, 2024

03:26

Snipd AI

Explore the double standard of age-appropriate behavior, the importance of self-policing, parental influence, and acting responsibly.

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Quick takeaways

We need to hold ourselves to the same standard we set for our kids and grow out of negative habits and behaviors as adults, regardless of how successful we may be in other areas of our lives.

Our actions and choices as adults have a significant impact on our children, so it's crucial to prioritize personal growth and demonstrate accountability to set a positive example for them.

Deep dives

Taking Responsibility for Our Actions

As parents, when our kids make mistakes, we often tell them they're too old for certain behaviors. However, we don't hold ourselves to the same standard. We need to remember that as adults, we should be policing our own actions first. It's important to grow out of negative habits and behaviors, whether they're serious or trivial. We shouldn't willingly add the shame of misbehaviors to the challenges of old age. We must remind ourselves that we're too old to act out and take responsibility for our actions, regardless of how others may enable us or if we're successful in other areas of our lives.

The Double Standard of Age-Appropriate Behavior

3min

“This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/dailydad and get on your way to being your best self.”

When our kids mess up we say: Aren’t you a little old for that? And we have all sorts of rules of thumb for what things are age appropriate or not—what age they should stop having accidents, what age they should stop throwing a tantrum just because they’re tired, what age it stops being okay for other people to have to pick up after them.

“We ought not willingly add to old age, which has many of its own problems, the shame of misbehaviors.” That’s Cato the Elder, who seems to have really lived up to that second part of his name. You’re too old to act out. And even if you weren’t, remember your kids are always watching—a little fellow follows you—so act like the adult that they believe you are.

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