How We Teach Our Kids to Be Kind

As parents, how often do we sit down and think about the kind of people we want our children to be? Most of us have the same basic goals of wanting our kids to be successful in life, happy with what they have, and people who love God… but how much time to we devote to teaching our kids to be kind?

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…

-Colossians 3:12

If we want our kids to be kind, it’s up to us to show them what kindness means. The first way we can do that is to raise them in a home where we show kindness to each other. That means we consider the way we speak, disagree, and discipline. That we are free from back-biting, mocking, shaming, or being mean–even when we are angry, upset, or disappointed.

The next way we teach kindness to our children is to let them see us show kindness to others. We know our kids are always watching. They notice when we gossip or talk about another person behind their back. They see when we look down upon someone who is different from us. When we choose to be kind to others in our everyday life, we make an impression upon our kids that tells them kindness is a priority.

Perhaps one of the most tragic messages a parent can unwittingly give a child is that we are too busy to be kind. If we find ourselves faced with an opportunity to extend kindness to another person, but our schedule won’t permit us to stop, we can still find a way to follow up and make time to do what we can.

We’re all busy with a new school year and new schedule, but it’s really an ideal time to begin a kindness ritual with the whole family. If we want our kids to be kind, give them practice in real-world kindness by serving others.

How are you teaching your children to be kind? Visit our website to learn more about our volunteer opportunities to help teach our kids to serve our community.