Okay this term is normally used when you adopt the same body language as the person you are talking to. For example, if you are seated either side of a desk and that person leans in close to the desk, you copy. It’s something we do to make the speaker feel more comfortable with you and quite often we do it without thinking.

I have a new explanation for this term. Read on.

There are many self help books, image books, how to discover yourself books on the market. All designed to help you look at yourself and help you change your ways.

I have an even better way of doing this, just watch your childrens behaviour and speech as they are ‘mirroring’ you. If ever I needed to check myself I only have to listen to what comes out of my children’s mouths. I will give a couple of examples that have recently stopped me in my tracks. They did make me smile but also made me think.

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Mom: (after smelling something unpleasant while watching a video with my daughter). - “Have you just farted?

Daughter (who is 2) -  “No, have you?”

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After nicely telling my daughter for about the 10th time that, no sweetheart we won’t be going to the park today, we are going tomorrow, I observed this role play she had with her toys. I have to make it clear that I was really proud how patient I’d been with her.

Daughter with a mommy giraffe and a baby giraffe, this is the conversation she made up for the giraffes.

Baby giraffe: Can we go to the park?

Mommy giraffe: No sweetheart

Baby giraffe: Can we go to the park?

Mommy giraffe: No sweetheart

Baby giraffe: Can we go to the park?

Mommy giraffe: Shut UP

So if you want to take a good hard look at yourself, look at your children first