Teaching compassion to your children may sound like a no-brainer, but it can be much more nuanced than people realize. In the age of social media and everyone wanting the spotlight on themselves, it can be a hard road to navigate, as children tend to be more focused on themselves already since they are learning all the things.
Parenting at its Best
You may feel like you are already putting in the work, but it’s never a bad idea to take a step back and look at it with fresh eyes. Are you really showing your children how to be caring? To yourself? To others? To people you don’t know? The world can be harsh, and it’s okay to talk to your older children about that and to make sure they know how to keep themselves safe. But overall, the world can always use extra kindness and compassion. And children are the best conductors of this, as they (hopefully) haven’t seen anything harsh yet in life. They are a fresh canvas to showcase how much beauty and love there can be in the world, and they will more than likely want to show it to others and express it.
How Do You Do It?
If you are wondering if you’re doing it right, that’s never a bad thing. It’s often too easy to fall into routines or dismiss times or instances where love or compassion could be leaned into. It doesn’t mean you are a bad person, it just means it might be time to reflect and give others grace, if need be. Children learn through people’s actions, and if you are checking in on others, friends or family, and making sure they are alright, then your child sees that that is the right thing to do as they grow up. You asking someone who is crying if they are alright and if you can help shows a high level of compassion. Remember that the gestures don’t have to be grandiose or extreme. It is oftentimes the smallest things you do that make the biggest impact on other’s lives.
And remember that people often hide what they are going through, or don’t realize they could be showing negative emotions instead. We are all guilty of this on occasion, as the world can be crazy and stressful at times. Making sure your children realize this nuance of humans can help them to not take things so personally, and instead communicate more and lead with compassion when needed.
Katie Kyzivat