If I Haven't Done It, No One Should.

A saying that's popular these days, with parents and managers a like: 

"I would never ask you to do something I have not done myself."

That's a lie. Why say that to your child or a coworker? Say it and you have successfully set yourself up to be called a liar.  You have enough on your plate as a parent or manager, don't give free passes.  

I get why you want to say it, you want to seem like you are relatable and in the trenches with your staff (or your kids).   You want your kids to understand that you were in their shoes once too, that you know what it's like to be a kid.  You want your employees to follow you because you know what you are doing (same could be said for the punk kids too), because you've walked the path they are currently walking.  

But the truth, and this might hurt your feelings, the truth is you are not walking their path.  You never have and you never will.  It's not that you can't relate to those you are raising and those you work with, and it's certainly not that you won't be there for them when shit hits the fan.  But the world we live in, the one that changes at what seems like warp speed, will not allow you to have "done things that others are asked to do."  The rate of change in the world today means your kids and your co workers will experience things in work/life that you never did while in their role.  

Doesn't mean you can't support them as they experience new things, but you've never done it.  So don't tell them you have.  Heaven knows we are losing the battle on a daily basis just trying to navigate life - embrace that with those in your life, rather than trying to tell them something you know you will not be able to uphold.