So I’m driving down the road today and what do I see but a policeman driving by while talking on his cell phone…..without a head set. Call me crazy, but I assumed the cell phone law applied to all drivers (even policemen).
Don’t get me wrong. I have great respect for those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect and serve, i.e. policemen, firemen, proctologists…..but it’s always a little disappointing when someone in a position of authority doesn’t abide by the very rules they enforce.
This is probably why I am a lousy disciplinarian. I find it very hard to tell my son he must clean his room, when he can’t get the door to mine open. Or why I pray he has not been paying attention too closely to the speedometer when I am behind the wheel, when I deliver my “safety first” message. And I’m sure the advice to “stop drinking so much soda” is probably more credible from someone who isn’t sitting with a bag a Cheetos in her lap.
Sometimes I think that we should have to prove ourselves up to the task of modelling proper behavior before we accept the position as parents/authority figures. My favorite motto: “Do as I say, not as I do” has been less than inspiring I’m sure.
