How to Raise Kind Children

As a mother to two precious children, there’s nothing that I want more than to teach my children the art of kindness. Living in a world filled with feelings of entitlement and rude behavior, I want to raise children who will make a difference and treat others with kindness and respect. I’m a firm believer that the best place to start teaching these lessons is in the home.

I received samples and compensation in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. 

How to Raise Kind Children

Encourage hard work. Starting at a very young age, give your children chores, duties, and responsibilities. Allow them to save up their own money for large purchases. Although it can be easy to hand things to children, teaching them the importance of hard work creates grateful hearts.

Lead by example. Allow your child to see you performing kind acts of service for others. Acknowledge kind acts performed by others and give praise when kindness is shown in the home.

Teach manners. Starting at a young age, teach and encourage your child to use their manners. Before your child can talk, teach them the signs for please and thank you. When they are old enough to start talking, say “please” and “thank you” appropriately and encourage them to do so also. Although my little girl is only 15 months, I make sure she tells me “please” and “thanks” whenever she wants something.

Find ways to give back. Participate in family activities and fundraisers that give back to the community. Allow your child to participate in activities that serve and uplift others.

Looking for the perfect way your whole family can give back? Barbara’s has partnered with Defenders of Wildlife – a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting native animals and plants in their natural communities. Right now, by purchasing these brightly colored limited-edition collectible bracelets (available in a wolf, sea turtle, elephant, and polar bear designs) for $5 a piece, you can help give back to the Defenders of Wildlife adoption program. For ever four bracelets purchased, Barbara’s will adopt one endangered animal through Defenders of Wildlife’s symbolic animal adoption program. The goal is to 1,000 endangered animals by the end of the campaign. Can you help us reach this goal?

All adoption donations benefit wildlife and conservation efforts of Defenders of Wildlife. What a great way to teach children kindness; showing them the importance of safeguarding endangered wildlife. For more information, or to purchase a bracelet, be sure to visit shop.barbaras.com.

How do you teach your children to be kind?