Teaching Children About Choosing Role Models

By  //  September 23, 2014

Sheriff Wayne Ivey’s Weekly Crime Tip

ABOVE VIDEO: The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office needs your help in locating several fugitives that are highlighted in this episode of “Fugitive Hunt.” If you know where we can locate these individuals please contact Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS, or our Fugitive Unit at 321-264-5333. 

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Throughout this past week I have repeatedly been asked my thoughts regarding the recent media stories relating to the unprofessional actions of professional athletes and high profile sports figures and with that in mind, I thought we would focus our Weekly Crime Prevention Message on teaching our children the importance of Character, Class, and choosing the right role models.

This week Sheriff Wayne Ivey wants to focus on teaching our children the importance of Character, Class, and choosing the right role models.
This week Sheriff Wayne Ivey wants to focus on teaching our children the importance of Character, Class, and choosing the right role models.

Before I jump into what parents can do to help their children make good choices, let’s talk about the recent headlines that have focused on unbelievable incidents such as Domestic Violence, Driving Under the Influence, Child Abuse and even shouting disgraceful and disrespectful comments about women in front of other students.

While those headlines are recent, we can go back further and find headlines that are equally as disturbing involving high profile sports figures aligned with murder, bullying and drug usage.

bcso-star-180Sadly, nothing seems to amaze me anymore, but what continues to dismay me is how those associated with these individuals refuse to hold them accountable, further demonstrating that it’s more important to get them back on the field than it is to correct the poor decisions and send the right message. I truly understand that these franchise owners make millions of dollars because of the athletes, but when is enough, enough?

At some point the sports organizations have to stop accepting unacceptable behavior and start once again on the course of creating sports figures that children and young adults should look up to.

Special Victim Unit Agents Arrest Online Child PredatorRelated Story:
Special Victim Unit Agents Arrest Online Child Predator

When did America start believing that a winning team was more important than a winning program? When did a great athlete become more important than having integrity, class, character and an education?

Okay, enough of my “soap box speech” so let’s focus on how we can make sure that our children are picking the right role models. First, please remember that you and your family are the most important role models in your child’s life and that holding a child accountable for poor decisions and demonstrating a positive lifestyle will build the foundation of Character and Class they need to be successful in life.

Also, it is just as important to remember that everyone makes mistakes, a strong family support system will help during those difficult times and demonstrate how much you love your children.

Below is a list of things to consider when trying to make sure your child always looks up to the right people:

• You are their constant role model so please demonstrate love, respect and good choices
• Discuss with them what character really is and how quickly it can be destroyed
• Give them examples of people with good character and bad character
• Monitor what they are exposed to like TV and friends
• Spend time with your children in positive settings
• Teach and give them responsibility
• Hold them accountable and teach them that there are consequences for their actions
• Expose them to cultural diversity and express the importance of education
• Don’t do everything for them, Teach them to problem solve
• Have them participate in team sports or activities
• Teach them to help others in need
• Teach them to do things well and take pride in their task.
• Teach them good manners like saying please and thank you
• Never try to buy their love or happiness
• Create a family atmosphere including eating together and other family events
• Discuss with them their thoughts, concerns and fears
• Know that being their parent is always more important than being their friend
• Teach them to dress for success
• Let them understand that saying “I’m Sorry” when appropriate is OK

And lastly, please teach them to use the “person in the mirror” test. As long as they can look in the mirror and be proud of what they see, they are doing great things.

Teaching your children about character and having class is not a one day lesson, but a life long process that requires patience and due care. By teaching children how to behave and act, we are ultimately teaching them how to be productive and proud members of society and to be the role models for the next generation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has been a law enforcement officer for over three decades. Sheriff Ivey is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has a Bachelor’s Degree from Daytona State College in Management and Supervision. Sheriff Ivey’s background in law enforcement is inclusive of Management, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, Patrol Services, Public Integrity Investigations, and Corrections.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey

Prior to being elected in 2012, Sheriff Ivey served the citizens of the State of Florida as a Resident Agent in Charge for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. As a member of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sheriff Ivey developed and created the country’s first ever statewide Task Force on Identity Theft.

That same year the Task Force was named one of the top five most innovative programs in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and investigated approximately 44 million dollars in fraud cases. Additionally, as a member of FDLE, Sheriff Ivey created the Child Abduction Response Team (C.A.R.T) that re-defined the way Child Abduction cases are conducted throughout the country today.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has been a law enforcement officer for over three decades. Sheriff Ivey is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has a Bachelor’s Degree from Daytona State College in Management and Supervision. Sheriff Ivey’s background in law enforcement is inclusive of Management, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, Patrol Services, Public Integrity Investigations, and Corrections.

The program was later selected as the most innovative program in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is now used as a nationwide model in the response and investigation of child abductions.

Sheriff Ivey has testified before the United States Congress on law enforcement related matters and has extensive experience in the area of Public Integrity Investigations. Sheriff Ivey was honored as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Special Agent of the Year (1996) and was also recognized by the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for his Outstanding Contributions to Criminal Justice. In August of 2011 Sheriff Ivey was honored by the National Organization of Victims Advocacy for his work at the national level as an advocate of victim’s rights and protection.

Sheriff Ivey speaks regularly on topics such as Identity Theft, Crime in America, Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Self Defense through Mental Preparedness. Sheriff Ivey firmly believes that Crime Prevention and Education are vital to reduce our crime rate and protect our community.