In a world full of tension, intolerance, and bullying, it is hard not worrying about the type of person that your child becomes. You hope your child shows empathy, acts with integrity and is honest with everyone that they interact with.
There are factors that influence your child’s behavior and actions – like their peers, social media, the news, and other adults.
One of the biggest influencers, though, is you! Your child is attuned to everything that you say and do. This is why it is so important for you to lead by example and show and teach compassion.
For your child to be compassionate, they first are able to consider and understand the emotional state of another person or group. Compassion then goes one step beyond empathy, because your child then takes actions to improve or reduce any pain or suffering that other person or group is feeling.
Here are some of our favorite parenting tips and suggestions on things that you can do to help your child treat others with empathy, kindness, and respect.
Encourage Tolerance and Respect For Others
We live in a world where differences should be celebrated. Instead, differences — whether cultural, racial, religious, physical, or behavioral — are not always fully understood or respected.
Your child is not born with intolerance. They are a sponge that absorbs everything they hear from you, their peers, and the environment. This then influences how they view and treat others.
When your child asks questions about another person or group, the way that you react and respond feeds your child’s perception. If you ‘shush’ or ignore their questions, your child may interpret that to mean there is something negative or bad with what they asking.
Use their questions as a teachable moment. Have an open conversation and remind your child to always treat others with respect and to be a friend to all.
