What is kindness?
It is about being nice, compassionate, helpful towards others and It is a rare quality these days. We all want our kids to learn it and follow it. Kindness and empathy can help our kids to be a good citizen of the society and we can teach them to be friendly, kind, loving, and generous.
A few days back, one of my maid’s son got injured in an accident and we helped her in getting timely hospital care for him. My husband and I helped her with all the hospital and medicine expenses too. We did it because we really wanted to help her and I am sure my girls learnt a lesson of compassion and kindness that day. Kids learn by watching their parents.
It is just a small example but such small things sometimes leave big impressions on our kids. If they see us behaving badly or talking rudely with somebody, they will also do the same. We need to lead by example as our kids are always watching us.
“Kindness is not taught, it’s learned and In order to be kind, you have to experience it at home.”
So let’s start with small things like please and Thank you. Donate old books, toys, and clothes to underprivileged and make sure your kids are involved in it. My younger one loves to water all our balcony plants and she really takes good care of them and I feel it is an act of kindness too.
I remember how my girls took their own time to adjust when we moved to Bangalore a few years back. Elder one is very social and she was fine in some time but younger one took her own sweet time a she was just 4 at that time. I suggested her to greet others whenever she meets them and it worked wonders. When she saw others smiling back at her and talking to her, she liked it and learnt the value of being nice to others.
These are few lessons from my bag of motherhood experiences-
Let’s make a start today and teach our kids about kindness, love, and compassion as it’s never too late. Parents are the role models and they can learn good and bad things from us. My next post is about something which they learn from parents too. Stay tuned. 🙂
I am writing about Parenting for A to Z challenge and sharing my thoughts as a mother of a teen and a tween. Sharing my personal experiences as a mom and hope to help other moms and also learn from them through this challenge. Read all posts here.
A for Affection
B for Believe
C for Confidence
D for Dance
E for Extracurricular
F for Food
G for Guilty
H for Hacks
I for Independent
J for Joint or Nuclear
April 13, 2017 at 10:54 am
Leading by example I agree is the best way to imbibe values like kindness in our kiddos
April 13, 2017 at 2:57 pm
Thanks Roma 🙂
April 13, 2017 at 12:16 pm
It is true Deepa. Kindness can be shown instead of teaching. We are the role models for our kids.
April 13, 2017 at 2:57 pm
Thanks Geethica 🙂
April 13, 2017 at 12:18 pm
Very true, what children see around them is what they imbibe.
Kindness
April 13, 2017 at 2:58 pm
Thanks Neha 🙂
April 13, 2017 at 3:10 pm
Yes, Kindness begins at home and children learn from watching their parents. Another sensible post, Deepa:)
April 13, 2017 at 3:13 pm
Thanks Mayuri 🙂
April 13, 2017 at 3:53 pm
How such small gestures like greeting ang smiling at others can do wonders! Great tips, Deepa 🙂
April 13, 2017 at 4:19 pm
Thanks Shalini 🙂
April 13, 2017 at 3:55 pm
I have realized most of the things can’t be taught to kids, you have to lead an example and they imbibe it. I am trying to do that with my Bluey
April 13, 2017 at 4:20 pm
Agree..Thanks tina.
April 13, 2017 at 4:50 pm
The most difficult part of parenting I feel us walking the talk.Kindness is a golden virtue and if people practiced it the world would be a much better place .
April 13, 2017 at 6:37 pm
Thank you Amrita 🙂
April 13, 2017 at 5:12 pm
I’m firm believer that kids learn by seeing and not being told. Yes that doesn’t negate the fact that they need to be taught certain things. But the best way to teach them is by doing so ourselves.
Very relevant post in today’s times, when kindness is somewhat dwindling. Thank you for sharing.
April 13, 2017 at 6:37 pm
Thanks Natasha ..glad you liked it 🙂
April 13, 2017 at 5:29 pm
You have highlighted such an important point…that kids learn from watching their parents. It is so important for each one of us to teach them kindness, compassion and love. What they learn will determine how the future world will be!!
April 13, 2017 at 6:35 pm
Thank you ..glad you liked it 🙂
April 13, 2017 at 5:52 pm
Teaching by examples is the best way to imbibe good values in our kids and you are doing a fab job a that, Deepa! Way to go!
April 13, 2017 at 6:35 pm
Thank you Shilpa 🙂
April 13, 2017 at 6:09 pm
No matter how much we teach our children but until we practice ourselves, they won’t learn! Being compassionate is a great virtue and should be practiced by everyone!
Cheers
BoisterousBee
April 13, 2017 at 6:36 pm
Thank you Geet 🙂
April 13, 2017 at 8:04 pm
That’s a very pertinent point, Deepa. Raising kids with empathy is totally relevant, more so in today’s world. I think we have to be role models for that.
Shubhangi @ The Little Princess
April 13, 2017 at 9:05 pm
Thanks Shubhangi 🙂
April 13, 2017 at 10:32 pm
I feel simple acts of kindness are underrated. A smile, an offer to help lift a bag, holding the lift for someone, letting an elderly person go before us – simple everyday acts express kindness and children should be taught to do all of that spontaneously. Another lovely piece Deepa.
April 13, 2017 at 10:53 pm
Yes Tulika..all are very important and can teach kids a lot. Thanks 🙂
April 14, 2017 at 4:31 pm
True! Kindness is a virtue that one needs to lead by example.
April 14, 2017 at 5:19 pm
Thanks Aditi 🙂
April 14, 2017 at 10:32 pm
When our children were young, we always used please and thank you in the house. “Thank you for getting that for me?” “Can I get you anything?” It made them into caring, awesome adults.
You are doing a good job as a parent, and your children are very lucky.
April 14, 2017 at 11:31 pm
Thanks a lot Cheryl for kind words. 🙂
April 15, 2017 at 12:35 am
Completely agree Deepa, kindness can only be learnt by experiencing. I am sure your kids have learnt a great lesson.
April 15, 2017 at 9:04 am
Thank you
April 15, 2017 at 11:00 am
Beautiful post, they say values are caught and not taught, I agree it is so important to walk the talk, its the most powerful way to impact kids, thank you for sharing !!
April 15, 2017 at 3:13 pm
Thanks Angela..glad you liek dit 🙂
April 16, 2017 at 2:23 am
Role-modelling kindness for your children is key. I love that I’ve seen a few K for Kindness posts on this A to Z 🙂
April 16, 2017 at 9:45 am
Thanks Louise