Teaching Compassion to Your Kids (Part II)
Here’s the last half of “10 Things you must teach your kids about compassion” from All Pro Dad1
6. Furry Friends
Do you have a family pet? Animals teach many great qualities. Compassion is right at the top of the list. How your child treats his pet is a great indication of the character within him. Is he loving and nurturing? Or callous and abusive? Perhaps indifferent? Pets can be used to break through even the iciest of shells. Make sure your children have daily responsibilities for the care of your pet. It will teach them dedication to the well being of something besides their own needs.
7. Disabled Is Not A Dirty Word
Disease, birth defects and mental challenges run rampant in our world. They leave no age group untouched. In nearly all situations, it is no fault of the victim that they have been stricken with the burden they carry. Yet in many cases, they are left on the sidelines to deal with life in relative isolation. Disabled is not a dirty word. Many of the greatest stories of human triumph emerge from the ranks of the disabled. Their bodies or their minds might not be of normal state, but every soul is created beautiful and pristine. Remember that and teach it to your children.
8. Open Your Heart
The ability to display and comprehend emotions is not always easy for all people. Some men and women have a lot of trouble discussing out loud how they are feeling. Open your hearts to your children. They need to feel that you can verbally and physically express the love you have for them. Big hugs and three simple words on a daily basis. This builds much needed security and enforces in them the ability to love others as well. Hugging your child and telling her that you love her makes you more of a man. Not less.
9. Square Dealing
Once upon a time, only a scoundrel would consider taking advantage of another for profit. Businessmen had an unspoken code to be square dealing and honest in their work. It was a matter of social standing. Is this the case today? In the present, it is normal business practice to use whatever means necessary to claim the prize. Morals sacrificed and ethics out the window. This trend must be reversed. Teach your children to have standards they will not waver from. To deal fairly in all matters. Compassion flows from those that treat others with dignity and respect.
10. Tolerance For All Kinds
One of the most used words of this strange new century. Tolerance. Sadly, it is often misused as more of a form of control than actual acceptance. That is called social engineering and is not true tolerance. Tolerance is a love for all of God’s creations. To be color blind. To practice understanding for those different than yourself. The world today is full of open borders and worldwide communication. We cannot hide in conclaves of those only like ourselves. Relish in that fact and teach your children that it is a glorious time to be alive. You only heard about the starving children in China when you were little. Your child can talk to different kids all over the world on the Internet. Tolerance and compassion for all people and creatures is certainly a goal worthy of your children’s soul.
Few things warm the heart of a dad like seeing his children exhibit compassion for others, especially for ‘the least of these’. You can’t make your child become a compassionate person, but you’ll want to look back someday and know you gave it a go.
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1 All-Pro Dad is a unique fatherhood program whose vision is for every child to know the love of a dad and for every dad to be engaged in the life of their child. Learn more at www.allprodad.com
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Responses (1)
Tolerance is a terrible word. It implies that the person who is tolerant is better than the one being tolerated.
Respect is a much better word. All people are deserving of love and respect because they are children of God made in His image.
Respect does not imply that everything is equal.