As a parent, your children are often your mirror.

They reflect the worst and best parts of you. They repeat some of your worst and best habits.

Every now and then we positively see ourselves in them. It is easy to miss, because we are always tempted to focus on our flaws as parents.

I was lucky to catch one of those positive reflections the other day.

While biking together with the kids, my son and I broke into song.

My favorite song right now is Good Things Fall Apart. I have played it so much at home that my 7 year old has memorized it too.

So we belted the lyrics together as we pedaled home from the library. We high-fived as we finished and laughed together.

I briefly wondered if it was bad that he knew the lyrics to an adult song.

Then I remembered my 7 year-old self. I memorized Sheryl Crow’s All I Wanna Do and asked my mom to sing it in the school talent show.

She said no, perhaps because the second verse begins with, “I like a good beer buzz, early in the morning.” Might have set the wrong tone for the talent show. 🙂

So this gave me perspective. My son simply loves memorizing and belting out lyrics–just like his mom.

It is fun when the “mirror” shows our good qualities–not just our flaws.

So next time he asks for a lyric video to sing along with Sara Bareilles, I will just smile. I will not worry so much.

And I will sing along too.

-Brittany