Role Models

There are many milestones in parenting. I am no expert, I am just learning as I go. My kids are four, four, and two as I am writing this. Different people remember different things as well. I remember the first time the nurses in the NICU taught me how to change a diaper quickly. I re-learned this the hard way when our son was born and I got soaked for not being fast enough. If you have a boy, I am sure you know what I mean. I don’t remember the twins’ first words; I think it was dog. But I will never forget those learning conversations we have. The other day Charlee, the spicy twin, asked me where Nana and Papa were. (Nana and Papa are my parents) I said, “I don’t know, you want to go see them?” Charlee says, “Did they go back to France where the naked ladies dance?” Me trying very hard not to laugh, “No, why do you ask that?” Charlee, “Remember, Nana said you should not teach us things like that, but I heard you and now I know it.” I realized right at that moment, I need to be a better role model, and Charlee is figuring out how to make me laugh.

As bankers we are to be stewards and custodians of our customers’ money. We also are expected to make good financial decisions with our own money. This is by government regulation and to be a good role model in showing our customers how to ‘Build and Maintain Wealth’. I am not perfect in this department. I will just say I don’t have gambling problem, unless you consider remodeling a house a form of gambling. Poor financial management can also create stress making a person more susceptible to committing fraudulent activities to solve our own problems. 

Being a good role model for your family and community involves making time for family moments. As the school year progresses it always makes me smile to see the buttons with kids’ pictures parents wear on game days. People talk about the big drive they must make to hear one fifteen-minute speech, or race. Then there are weddings and birthday parties for kids and grandkids. I know some day I will complain about too many kids’ activities and having to drive to Timbuktu for five minutes, but I hear it is worth it to see someone smile. I think our bank culture is good at accommodating parents for family moments. 

Being kind and generous to your community is also a good trait of a role model. My kids had to write things about their parents and what they like to do one day at daycare. Next to a crayon drawing of my big head and under the heading, “What is daddy’s favorite thing to do?’ one of the twins put ‘Go to meetings’. This reminded me of when I was a kid, and my dad went to school board meetings. I think he was on the board for 20 years, I don’t know how he lasted that long. Later in life I realized what a commitment that was, and he wasn’t just skipping story time that night. I think everyone in our bank does something to give back to our community. I would love to name all the boards and nonprofits our bankers are involved in, but I don’t want to miss one. Giving back to our community not only makes you feel good about yourself but also shows that we are very thankful for what each community has given our bank. 

I am not writing this to tell you what a great role model I am. After researching the traits of a good role model, it looks like I have a lot to work on. They say if you want to be successful in life you must choose good parents. I know you don’t have that choice but if I had to choose parents, I would still pick mine. They are good role models, and I hope I can raise my kids half as good as what they did. My wife has great parents as well; very happy they are in our life and get to be with my kids growing up. I know not everyone gets to have two sets of grandparents. This reminds me of when Meemaw and Peepaw were at our house last week. (Meemaw and Peepaw are what the kids call my wife Carley’s parents.) They were playing with the kids, joking around and having fun. Frankie, the other girl twin, came to find me and ask a question that I am sure Peepaw told her to ask me. “Daddy, do you know how to catch a polar bear?” I slapped my head, and I will let you find the punch line on that one.   

-Adam Frank Bruning, Loan Officer-