Why is it Important to Raise Kind Kids?
Have you ever been around a person who is not kind? Have you ever been around a child who is not kind? There is a go-to question I always ask my family members when they are talking about someone new, especially my children or my younger sister. I always ask whether the person is kind. I don’t mean is this person nice on the surface. I mean, does this person have a kind heart? Because when a person has a kind heart, they are a joy to be around. You feel comfortable with them. When a child is kind, then you can expect them to be kind to almost everybody in the world. And we can all agree this world needs more kind people. Let’s take a look at these seven tips for raising kind kids.
What is the Difference Between Kindness and Being Nice?
Kindness is the trait of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
Being nice is being agreeable, satisfactory, and pleasant.
A person can be nice without being kind. A person can be pleasant to be around but not generous or friendly. I would rather raise children who are kind-hearted to everyone than raise nice kids. Of course, I want my child to be nice and pleasant to other people. However, being generous, friendly, and considerate is extremely important in today’s society. Because it means you are putting a person’s feelings and needs first when you’re being considerate.
What Does it Mean to Raise a Kind Kid?
When you raise a kind kid, you’re raising a child who is thinking outside of themselves and thinking more about the people around them. Kind kids are more helpful, friendly, and more pleasant to be around.
Teaching your child to think outside of themselves is extremely important in raising kind adults.
7 Tips for Raising Kind Kids
Be an Example Yourself and Start Within the Family Walls
First and foremost if you want your kids to be a kind person, you have to be a kind person yourself. Children learn from what they see. They see their mom or dad being kind to others, and they start practicing that consideration too. If they see their mom and dad being unkind, they will pick up those bad habits as well. That means you need to start with the people inside your four walls. Your spouse, your children, and yourself.
Use a Kindness Jar in Your Home
A kindness jar is very simple. We made one several years ago, and you just put opportunities inside the kindness jar for your family to show kindness to people outside your home.
When you are raising your kid, insist on manners and respectfulness when they interact with others
Teach your child to think beyond themselves when they interact with other people. You can teach respect for those around them and also teach boundaries. Help your child learn to notice the people around them. For example, if you notice an elderly woman behind you at the grocery store, you can go in, and say to your child, “Let’s hold the door open for this lady so she doesn’t have to do it.” Or say “hey your mom is struggling to bring in the groceries let’s go help her.” Or, ” Hey, your grandma just cooked a meal for you; let’s help her clean up the kitchen.” These are great opportunities to show each other how to be respectful and considerate to others around them.
Read: Encouraging Affirmations for Daughters
Make Caring for Others a Priority
If you know there is somebody around you who has a need, show your child how to care for this person by example. It could be a simple is creating a meal basket or caring for a sick relative. When we include our children in helping us they will learn basic respectfulness and consideration skills..
Create Moments Where Your Child is Thinking of Someone Else- Not Themselves
Be mindful and notice situations where your child is interacting with other people, and create moments where they could be thinking about someone else inside that circle beside them. For example, if your child is playing with their brother and sister and you notice their brother really wants a turn with a certain toy, encourage your child to think about how their brother is feeling: “Hey, sis, I really think your little brother would like a turn when you are done. What do you think?” You don’t have to tell them to share, but you could introduce the concept by asking them to think about the other person and the other person‘s feelings.
Teach Your Child to Put Themselves in Someone Else’s Shoes
This goes along with thinking about other people. Teach your child to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. If your child comes home and starts talking about a classmate and notices something different about them, ask them to think about how the other person might be feeling. For example, if your child’s group of friends has been making fun of another little kid at school, ask them how they think that person might be feeling when they’re being picked on. This teaches your child empathy and to think about another person they come across.
Be Relentless and Intentional When You See Moments Arise
When you see moments arise, try not to let them pass up. It’s normal for some moments to pass by, but be intentional and relentless about noticing moments you can use to teach your children.
Raising Kind Kids Can Be a Priority as a Parent
In today’s society, we are so divided; it’s important to raise kind children who can be empathetic and considerate of others, even when they have different opinions or ideas. Raising Kind kids should be a priority and can be, with a little intentional work on our part.
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