A negative role model can motivate you when you feel dejected about your relationship with your child. Hagar was traveling with her son Ishmael, and carried with her some food and water. Ishmael was sick, and finished drinking all of the water. Hagar placed her son in the shade of a bush, and walked away from him saying, "Let me not see the death of the child." Instead of abandoning him, she could have stayed with him and given him emotional support. If you feel discouraged about the prospects for improving your relationship with your child, think about how Hagar just walked away from her troubled son, and realize that you just cannot follow that example and give up on improving your relationship with your child. Hagar's behavior in this situation serves as an example to NOT follow.