Teaching Kindness to Children
I’m so glad you are reading this! It means you are wanting to begin teaching kindness to your children. It absolutely begins in our homes so let’s do this!!!
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what traits & qualities I would like to instill in my son and how my actions teach him everyday and mold him into the man he will one day become. We run across all different kinds of families, it may be at the playground, at the mall, at a restaurant and countless other places.
We struggle with different things but in the end we hope to raise decent human beings. Teaching kindness is a way to start but first I have a little story to tell you.
On the Fourth of July, our neighbor’s children were lighting very loud fireworks at 11:30 at night.
As a parent of a 1 year old you automatically get frustrated, because obviously they are asleep and you think this could possibly wake him up.
Being the mom I am, I went outside and asked the teenagers when they were planning to stop with the fireworks and the girl replied with a smirk on her face “not anytime soon”. Oh that got me angry.
But I politely explained to her and the other kids (and I think a parent or grandparent was with them) what time it was, that there is a noise ordinance in effect for the city, which most cities have. I mentioned I have a one year old that is disturbed by the noise and is trying to sleep.
She really could have cared less. So I did the obvious thing, which was threaten to call the police if she didn’t stop immediately.
By this time my blood was boiling.
I really did my best to diffuse the situation. I asked for them to stop, explained the situation and after that didn’t work, I threatened. I also left them with a nugget of wisdom. In the future please know you don’t live by yourself, the world isn’t yours, you don’t live in a farm away from civilization.
Be considerate to others, don’t think only of yourself.
(The adult was just standing there)
So moms & dads, what are we teaching our children in our homes?
Obviously those children were not taught to be considerate. I felt sad that I even had to go outside to let them know they shouldn’t be doing that and with adult supervision? Just sad.
Is this the kind of behavior that is expected out of children today? And if so, what’s my 1 year old going to be like? Things seem to be going downhill, fast. I hope those children listened to what I said and the adult supervising thought hard about what they are showing those kids and are doing something to correct their behavior.
But being kind doesn’t mean being soft or letting people hurt you or your family. But it does mean handling things with a certain friendliness.
Infancy is a pivotal moment in a human beings life
Infancy is a pivotal moment in a human beings life and I would like my son to live in a world where kindness is rampant.
I believe if we all took the time to be kind to one another, our children would emulate that kindness and they will be left with a better world.Being a mother has made me into a kinder, more accepting human being. The mistakes we make as parents could be nothing or it could have a huge impact on our children.
Parent? Do you want a kind & considerate child in your home?
So, what is kindness really?
Here’s are some ways you can teach kindness to children.
Step 1:
BE KIND YOURSELF!
I know, it’s a given, but like I said before, children learn by what they see. If you’re not being kind in your own home or even with strangers; your children will pay attention to your behavior. Being considerate is an amazing trait to have. You will like yourself more, your children will learn from you and others will want to be near you. Be polite, generous, & optimistic. Be genuinely helpful not just because.
Step 2:
BE PROACTIVE
Get out there and volunteer; donate some toys, food or clothes to someone less fortunate; help out at an animal shelter (children love animals). Don’t wait for an opportunity to be kind, be random with it. Smile more, put a smile on a strangers face. Kindness is contagious. Spread that on everything! Thank you & please go a long way.
Step 3:
PRAISE YOUR CHILDREN
When you see them doing something kind, let them know! Reward them for good behavior. Love on your children. It can be by taking them to their favorite ice cream shop or staying up a few more minutes. Whatever works for your family.
I hope to God we as a community help our children become better people. If we all took a proactive approach to parenting we would be amazed at the results. Let’s not fall into the trap of “Kids will be Kids”. Kids will be whatever we teach them, so teach them well, teach them with purpose and let us make their world a kinder place to hang around.
How are you teaching kindness to your children?
Let me know in the comments below. Let’s help one another succeed!
Thanks for reading!
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Great tips! I think leading by example is the best way to teach kindness. Children model so much of what we do. Fourth of July is tough with the little ones!
I hope I would be able enough to raise my child into a kind person and it always helps to get more and more tips to do so. She is still to small to make her understand volunteering but ones she is big enough 4 dat, i am gonna take her to some nice places. The other two tips I am trying to follow as much as I could. Great post Ellen.
Hi! Love your tips and I agree with us being kind first and then our children will follow. We have to lead as example for our children and teach them to be kind. I reward my kids for their good behavior as well, it motivates them to keep on behaving!
Sounds like you handled the situation very well. I agree, I see how the world is today and get an ulcer when I think of it 10 years from now when my boys become teenagers. How we could change the world if we all practiced a little kindness!
What wonderful tips! I think it is so important to be kind when you are a parent because our actions speak volumes to our kids.
This is something I am constantly thinking about while raising my children. I want them to be kind and compassionate. It is an every day struggle.
I am always wondering if I am doing enough to teach my kids kindness and compassion. It is really something they just have to see all the time through their parents.. so I always try to set a good example.
Great article! Kindness is such an easy behaviour to teach if we are aware and lead by example. Help our children develop this very important social quality so that they may be inspirational to others and have a positive impact on the world.