Doreen Wennberg
Blog

Every parent hopes to raise kids who are kind and compassionate toward others. Moms and dads don’t set out to raise inconsiderate, cruel, or heartless kids. Yet no one can argue that the adult society we see in front of us is selfish, indifferent, and rude. As parents, we play a significant role in shaping their character. Instilling values of kindness and compassion in our children is more crucial than ever. Here are some practical tips to help you build kindness and compassion into your kids.

Instilling Kindness and Compassion

We’ve all heard the rhyme, Monkey see, monkey do, and it is so true! What we model in front of our children is likely what they will emulate. Demonstrate kindness and compassion in your interactions with others, whether it’s family, friends, or strangers. Teaching kindness and compassion isn’t just for preschoolers but contributes to the ongoing personal development of older kid’s character.

Be intentional in explaining the necessity of being kind and compassionate and what these traits mean. Talk about what kindness means, which according to the dictionary— is simply being friendly, generous, and considerate. Talk about how being rude is the opposite of being kind.

Give them examples to live by. Can they welcome the new kid on the team first with a smile and introduce themselves?  Being the new kid at school, church, or sports team can be hard—and scary. Simple acts of kindness go a long way. Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. ~Ephesians 4:32

As Christian parents, we can counteract rude behavior—by talking about the importance of behaving kindly with compassion toward others.

If your kids have ever witnessed a bully, talk with them about how that made them feel. Did it make them mad to see someone else bullied? That’s having empathy which is good to have. Compassion however, is characterized by the desire to take action to help someone. Kids often remain neutral and do nothing for fear of retaliation.

Doing something nice for someone mean is hard even for adults – unless they’re led and following after God. While it may still be hard, knowing verses like Ephesians 4:32 helps us remember that God gave this instruction for us to follow. Forgiveness is the key to being able to turn and be kind and compassionate toward someone hurtful, angry, or mean.

Bullies aren’t just born—they are conditioned and learn from the environment in which they were born and live.

Sometimes it is helpful to remember that hurt people, hurt people—and need to be shown kindness and love. Who knows how a life could be positively affected by the smallest act—like giving a gift card for a meal or something else God may show you?

Volunteer Together

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. ~ Proverbs 19:17

Participating in community service with children provides hands-on experience that teaches valuable lessons about helping others in need.  Involve them in assembling a food basket or packing boxes of essential items like toiletries. Whether assisting a neighbor in need, volunteering through the church, helping at a local shelter, or a charity event, children are impacted by what they experience while helping.

Encourage Inclusivity

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ~ John 13:34

Teach your kids to embrace others who are different from them. God made all people, loves and sees them as the same.

Encourage friendships with kids from different backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. Does your peer group reflect people of different backgrounds? Help your kids to see your diverse friendships so they will embrace it themselves.

In conclusion, building kindness and compassion takes time and patience. Continue to encourage communication and the importance of the need for kindness and compassion in a hurting and broken world. Our children will become more aware and become others’ focused when we teach them these values.

Father,

Thank you for your kindness and compassion toward me. Help me to model and teach these virtues to my children. Give them hearts that reflect your love for others. Draw them toward people in need of kindness and compassion. May their kind acts touch someone’s life and have a ripple effect. ~In Jesus’ Name, Amen.