Parenting Advice from Horton the Elephant
I really enjoyed the 2008 movie Horton Hears a Who. Of course, I love Dr. Seuss. Who doesn’t? He has given us wonderful children’s stories that include the deeper, more significant lessons of life for kids and adults alike. For instance, Horton the elephant offers a lesson every parent needs to learn. Horton states this lesson several times throughout the movie when he says, “I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant is faithful one hundred percent.” That is great parenting advice! Think about it with me for a moment.
- When parents mean what they say and say what they mean, they erase ambiguity by communicating clear and truthful messages. As a result, their children know what to expect. The rules are made clear; and the consequences for appropriate and inappropriate behavior are made known. Children know what is expected of them and what to expect from their parents and family. All this adds predictability to a child’s life. Predictability gives security for a child.
- When parents mean what they say and say what they mean, children learn to trust. They do not have to worry about false promises because they know promises are kept. They can rest in the trustworthiness of their parents’ word. Once again, when children trust their parents’ word, they gain a sense of predictability; and, predictability leads to security.
- When parents mean what they say and say what they mean, they discipline more effectively. Promised consequences occur within the stated time frame and in response to the stated misbehavior. As a result, children learn there are no “empty threats.” A promised reward comes to them within the stated time frame and in response to the stated behavior as well. There are no broken promises. In addition, children know the rules and expectations because their parents mean the rules/expectations they say and they say the rules/expectations they mean (to paraphrase Horton). With this knowledge, children respond more readily to reminders, requests, and limits. They find it easier to obey the rules and live up to expectations because parents have made them clear in word and action.
Horton is one wise elephant when it comes to parenting. We would do well to learn this lesson from him: to mean what we say and say what we mean. This great parenting advice, when put into practice, erases ambiguity, builds predictability and trust, increases security, and leads to effective discipline…especially when a parent “is faithful one hundred percent.”