Kindness is one of the world's most scarce resources, especially in kids. In many cases that I've heard or dealt with, the brutality that enters the world of kids is unimaginable. There are kids who bully one another as early as in pre-school and mostly the teachers and parents are totally ignorant about what is happening because educational pressures have become more competitive and less meaningful to a child's actual development.
What parents and teachers forget is that kindness is something kids learn from them. A parent who treats the domestic help like an animal can never set a good example to the kid. A teacher who lies to the children can never inspire the children to be honest. Funny enough, we don't pay much attention to such important details but yes, we give a lot of importance in saying that our kid studies in X school without thinking through that it is the teachers and the values they impart that is more important than anythingelse.
A lot of young parents believe that teaching their kids kindness is not a good thing to do becaue the world will exploit it. Kindness is not something that parents and teachers should equate with weak will. Some of the world's greatest leaders reached where they are because they could balance their dynamism with kindness and compassion.Kindness is also closely linked with positive action. Through kindness, your kid may learn to excel and be confident about everything he/she does. Kids, who are kind, will also grow a good, positive network of relationships around them that they can grow for their entire.
Kindness is not about volunteering at a starvation camp or during an epidemic or an earthquake. Its value increases when you use it everyday in your life. Why don't you make kindness a part of your daily routine with your kids so that you can help them and yourself grow a positive cycle?
On Teacher's Day, teach your kids to thank the teacher by stating what all she/he has learned and incorporated thanks to the teacher's love and patience? If your kid doesn't get along with another kid, help them to understand each other and yes, get your kid to at least try and take the first step. Today's life is all about managing relationships smartly. Starting early will help your kid to develop these social interaction skills pretty fast.
Let our kids learn to be kind, not condescending. To help them do that, we need to practice at being genuine too. Kids spot fakes faster than experts. Help your kids to feel for others and to find happiness in helping others. With a spontaneous smile, a truly sincere compliment and a kind gesture, teach your child to make everyone’s day just a little brighter.
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7 comments:
Excellent post on kindness. First time here. Dalai Lama said "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."
I remember this incidence when we were visiting Chennai last year. We went to an upscale restaurant. When the waiter came to take our plates after we finished our dinner, we placed all the small dishes in our plates and handed it to the waiter...and the other customers looked us with contempt...like how come you are such a low life helping a waiter to clean the table.
Nice one. As Dalai Lama said: If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. if you want to be happy, practice compassion.
Some of the horror stories I have heard about the way teachers have to bend over backward to accommodate fee paying customers (read parents) your thoughts are quite refreshing.
LOved the post, specially these;lines...Kindness is not about volunteering at a starvation camp or during an epidemic or an earthquake. Its value increases when you use it everyday in your life.....I agree whole heartedly , absolutely.
@SG: Thanks for sharing the Dalai Lama quote. I haven't had an opportunity to read any of his writings.
The restaurant incident is also very touching. My wife always does that and I think a lot of people give her looks as if something is definitely wrong with her or that maybe she is at the wrong place.
@Mridula: Yes, we read about these horror stories so often and now we are forced to say prayers when we send our kids out even to school.
@Renu: Thanks, please keep visiting.
please, thank you, sorry -- all slowly disappearing from the vocab. when i insist my older one says thank you, or helps a friend, she comes back with a dozen egs of someone else not doing that. "how is that ok" is what i keep hearing.
i don't have a 'right' answer for that.
Yes, Ummon, those are some of the basic things that need to be in place. Thanks for visiting.
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