Want to raise kids with empathy for other people? Read these children’s books about empathy to discuss how others feel and teach compassion. Your child may not know this skill by name, but it's what happens when he can relate to the wailing tears of another child who had fallen off a bike. When he switches gears after realizing his friend isn't in a good mood to play. When he knows better than to tease his brother because he understands what it's like to feel teased himself. Empathy. It's one of the most important skills to nurture, and one that kids carry with them through … [Read more...]
7 Surprising Reasons Kids Need Responsibilities
Do you do everything for your kids? It may be time to stop. Here are 7 surprising reasons kids need responsibilities (with examples by age). If it weren't for my husband, my kids would still need me to remove their pajamas and put on their shoes. Thankfully, my other half expected much more from the start. He gave age-appropriate responsibilities not only to establish independence but out of necessity. (Three kids can do that to you.) It turns out, kids can do most of what we ask them to do, even at a young age. Sure, watching your child apply toothpaste and brush her teeth is ten times … [Read more...]
5 Characteristics of a Resilient Child
Curious to know why some kids persevere while others don't? Discover the 5 characteristics of a resilient child and what gritty kids do differently. My son had done a really neat trick with a blob of slime (yes, slime). He had stretched it out to a thin layer, held it in front of his face, then blew on it to make a "bubble." It looked exactly how bubble gum would look when you blow on it. Not surprisingly, one of his little brothers so was intrigued that he wanted to try the trick as well. At that point, I was already cringing inside. In truth, I didn't think he'd be able to get it … [Read more...]
35 Random Acts of Kindness to Brighten Anyone’s Mood
Start your day right with random acts of kindness to brighten anyone's mood. Here are 35 ideas to make family, friends, and strangers happy. The door held open, the extra tip for the delivery person, or the unexpected flowers for your loved ones. These are little things we can do to brighten the mood—others' as well as our own. It's the little things that count, including showing kindness and making others feel better. For your kids, maybe it's a gift without a special occasion or a surprise trip to the coffee shop for some one-on-one time. Perhaps it's a new children's book for your … [Read more...]
Children’s Books about Peace
Want to read about finding and living a life of peace? Teach your child the importance of kindness with these children's books about peace. Talking about the meaning of peace to kids can be difficult since it can highlight the opposite Struggle, cruelty, disagreements, and anything that isn't peaceful. Kids may not always understand why these true events happen. They get scared or don't feel safe. They wonder if these tragedies can happen in their lives rather than in distant places or times past. But they can understand peace better when we talk about it in ways they can relate to. … [Read more...]
4 Benefits of Teaching Kids Responsibility
Want your child to learn important life skills and be responsible? Read the benefits of teaching kids responsibility and self-sufficiency. I had a problem: I was doing everything for my kids. The day would go by much quicker, after all. Tying their laces? I could do it in five seconds. Pulling up their pants? They'd get their undies all tangled. And leaving them to do the dishes on their own meant finding soap residue on the plates. For the longest time, I even thought I was supposed to do everything. That I'm doing a great job by being a hands-on mom. The parent who's involved in her … [Read more...]
How to Raise Non Materialistic Children
Can't keep up with your child's constant desire for more? Learn how to raise non materialistic children and instill important values. Piles of holiday gifts. Extravagant parties. The desire for the latest branded toy and discarding the perfectly good ones they already have. Worse, looking down on other kids who don't have the same things they do. Regardless of how much a child has, it's easy to value materials and use it as a measure of self-worth. Materialism doesn't allow kids to learn skills like gratitude, empathy, and delayed gratification. Materialism also exists regardless of a … [Read more...]
Children’s Books about Being Kind
Want to raise kind kids? These children's books about being kind will help you instill important values of kindness and empathy for others. Ask any parent which values they want to teach children, and kindness will make that list. We need kindness more than ever in this world, for kids to extend genuine compassion that isn't rewarded with stickers or a high-five. Small acts of kindness that's done when no one is looking. More importantly, we need kids to stick up for others. To not look the other way when they see someone needs their help, and to feel empathy for those around them. A … [Read more...]