I see it way too often. A parent with children at a marked crosswalk with walk/don't walk signals, ignores the signals and crosses the street with the children when the light says don't walk.
This may seem like a small thing to some, but I have observed children closely for most of my life. The children see what the adults are doing and are able to see that the adults feel it is fine to ignore the crosswalk lights. Every time a child sees an adult ignore the law, even one like street crossing, they see the hypocrisy in the adult.
Crossing outside of crosswalks falls into the same category, but could have even greater consequences. When crossing outside of crosswalks pedestrians must yield to automobile traffic, but cars and trucks are not always expecting pedestrians to cross outside of crosswalks, say in mid-block. If children are not being taught the necessary skills for crossing mid-block, they may think that the cars are supposed to stop for them there. Many local jurisdictions have enacted laws which prohibit jaywalking, but it is not defined in Oregon state law. Way too often I have seen folks crossing with children in mid-block expecting cars and trucks to stop. Children will clearly get the wrong impression.
Every time one crosses the street with or near children, a teaching opportunity is available. Please don't leave it to just the schools to teach the children.
We all have a responsibility to be the best teachers we can be at all times.
​Please be a great teacher of children and set a great example when crossing the street. The children are watching you.