Raising Compassionate Kids

Mar 10

raising kids series: part 1 of 5

Something that has been stirring in me is becoming a better parent. As sweet as my girls are, I know there are areas I can grow in teaching them. While I have wrestled with that thought, this verse came to mind "..... clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience". Yes! Exactly what I desire to see in my girls! With this in mind I decided to reach out to some amazing women that I highly respect. They gave me lots of great advice on these specific attributes I desire to see in my children. I gathered all their advice, complied it into a five parts, and I'm sharing it all with you because it's too good not to share!

Raising Compassionate kids

Compassion is defined as sympathy and concern for the sufferings of others. One of the best things I learned when reaching out to these expert moms was to lead by example. The whole "do as I say, not as I do" saying doesn't work. When it comes to compassion, how does that play out?

Take your kids with you to help the homeless. Pack them backpacks with items they need (water, t shirts, socks, chapstick, etc). Get to know the ones you help. If you are able to get to know them and get to know their stories, it becomes easier to love them and sympathize with them. They are all God's creation, just like us, but have just maybe had a little bit of a tougher life. Show them and your child that by treating them with respect. Take time to talk to those you see in distress.

The next time your child sees someone at school having a bad day, they will more likely be willing to stop what they're doing to encourage them.

Sponsor a Compassion child (or another organization of your choice) and allow your child to be a part of the process. Compassion International is a Christian humanitarian aid child sponsorship organization dedicated to the long-term development of children living in poverty around the world. Have your child be a part of it by writing letters and sending special pictures. Allowing our children to partner with us to love and serve others gives them a sense of ownership.

Talk to your kids about their day at school. Was there anything that stuck out to them? Was anyone at school getting bullied or pushed around? Talk about how that would make them feel in those situations. Help them come up with ideas on how to solve the problem. Could they cut in and help make peace amongst others, or even become friends with those who have been outcasted by others?

Over time they will learn to be the compassionate child we desire for them to become. As a result, we will become more compassionate as well.