How do I raise kind kids? Here are 10 ways to get you started!

1.Walk the walk

I know, it sounds so, “well duh!” In a world that is getting more polarized every day, it is sometimes hard to not let disrespectful and negative comments come out. Make sure your children see that kindness is something you prioritze, towards everyone.

2.Teach optimism

There is a lot of research done on hope and positivitivity. A child who feels a good outcome is possible looks for ways to make that happen.

3.Volunteer

Children learn to be kind through example and seeing how these actions can impact their world and others.  Volunteering, whether it is to help an elderly person take in their garbage cans, with mom or dad walking the dogs at the humane society or asking church members or neighbors for extra food cans for the hungry children see a direct effect their actions have on someone else.

4.Encourage children to be good listeners

So many of us, when we are feeling upset or disheartened, do not want someone to solve our problems, we want someone to listen. Teaching your child to be a good listener is one of the kindest acts they can do towards others.

5.Encourage your child to build relationships

A relationship implies long term. Any long term friendship means there will be differences. When this relationship matters, both parties will go out of their way to listen and acknowledge the other’s feelings so the difference can be resolved. Listening acknowledging another and working towards resolution are all amazing acts of kindness.

6.Teach your child to love themself

It is hard to be kind to others when you are not kind to yourself. Encourage your child to embrace the qualities that make them unique and, likewise, to cherish the unique qualities in others. There are many storybooks that have this theme, Rock What Ya Got, by Samantha Berger for example. If you are looking for a parenting book on this topic, it is easier if you search for raising self-confident kids or children with good self-esteem.

7.Learn about emotional intelligence and teach your child

Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify and manage your emotions. It goes much deeper than this, however. A person with a high EQ (instead of IQ), is said to be able to better manage stress, excel at interpersonal relationships, show greater empathetic perspective towards others and be able to problem solve. (I wrote another blog: Emotional Intelligence: What is it and how important is it?)

8.Watch movies/Read books focused on kind acts

            There are many characters who are “rewarded” or made to look like a “hero” because of their mean acts. Instead of focusing on this type of entertainment as a family, watch and read together entertainment where characters are kind or they are rewarded for their unique characteristics or standing up for something.

9.Create family game night and play cooperative games

Cooperative games teach players to rely upon each other. Many of the games also allow for different players to use their special skills and be favored by other family members for these. This can teach kindness and appreciation for and towards other family members.

10.Family Dinner

Eating dinner together is an activity that comes up on almost every “how to…” list.  I actually saw a billboard once that said, “The family that dines together, stays together.” I know the schedules are disjointed and busy. If you can pick even two nights out of the week where you all sit down together, it creates consistency for your children. This can be a place where everyone has voice, everyone is heard and everyone is valued.

“Remember, you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine.”
— Snow White, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves