Teaching our Children Kindness
As our children headed back to school this Fall, we as parents did what we could to get them ready.
School supplies - Check
School clothes - Check
School transportation - Check
School registration - Check
We have had the discussion, especially with our littles, about acceptable vs. unacceptable classroom behavior. Raising your hand, being respectful to teachers and school staff, being to class on time, taking care of school supplies and putting them away, keep your area clean. The list goes on and on.
But how many parents discussed being kind as appropriate school behavior?
My aunt posted something on Facebook that made me think just this. My cousin, who is a Kindergarten teacher at a lower income school, spreads this message to the families to share with their children at the beginning of each school year.
“Before school starts… take just 5 minutes.
Not to label supplies. Not to plan lunches.
But to talk.”
“Tell them it’s never okay to make fun of someone’s body, skin, clothes or lunch.”
“Remind them not every kid has new clothes, a clean uniform, or someone waiting at home.”
“Let them know a quiet kid might be going through something big.
That school is for learning not judging.
That teasing isn’t harmless.”
“Just 5 minutes. That’s it.
Because the kind ones? They’re raised on purpose.
It starts with us.”
Disclaimer: I am not sure if this is something she wrote, the school wrote, or they got it from somewhere.
To the children who do not have an ideal homelife, enough to eat, clean clothes to wear, or shoes that actually fit, one person’s kindness to them can be life changing.
Bullying is never okay in any sense.
With the mental health crisis in the world today, kindness may mean life or death for someone. This is a topic that is easier to discuss with our preteens and teens, but it is necessary to start when our children are little.
We must practice a skill, chore, or habit on a regular basis to make it part of our routine. Kindness to others is not all that different. Repetition makes something second nature. Reminding our children to display kindness every day is just like reminding them over and over again to make their beds in the morning or take out the garbage.
Since the Covid pandemic started in 2020 my personal views of mental health as a parent, bonus-mom (I do not love the term step-parent and chose to use this phrase instead), an aunt, cousin, daughter and wife have shifted in how I understand the issues. I try to be more cognizant of how I am to others with my words and my actions. I am not perfect by any means, but the effort is something I strive for every day. My kindness may make the difference in their day.
Let’s teach our children to be kind. Teach them they do not know another’s personal struggles. Teach them compassion and empathy. Teach them the old saying “treat others how you want to be treated.”
XOXO Lainie and Mini
