Parents can help make kindness second nature by giving children opportunities to practice, both at home and in your community. Here’s how:
AT HOME
Pitch In
Include your children in regular housework such as cleaning and helping with dinner. They will learn to appreciate how tough it is to run a household and will feel good about contributing.
Respect
Don’t accept being tired or angry as an excuse to be disrespectful toward other family members. Explain why those emotions are okay to feel but why it’s not acceptable to lash out at someone. Calmly ask for an apology and brainstorm a healthier solution together.
Be Grateful
Start this tradition: Every day, at dinner or at bedtime, say something you’re grateful for. This practice promotes happiness, self-reflection, and appreciation. It will help make positive thinking a habit.
IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Support
Lend a hand when those around you need it, like when a friend or neighbor is hurt or sick. Include the children by having them make a card, help out with chores, or deliver home-baked cookies or dinner.
Open Up
Expose children to different cultures and backgrounds through books, festivals, traveling, movies and friends. Remind them that our world is full of all kinds of people with similarities and differences to discover and celebrate.
Serve
Volunteer as a family. When youth and teens serve others, they can see firsthand the importance of giving and receiving help and kindness.
You can find Ashland Raises Happy and Healthy Kids featured on the AHS Principal’s Blog, and the AMS principal’s Weekly Update, Mindess Magic Moments, Warren School Clocker Talk and the Ashland Youth & Family Services Facebook page. For more information about the Social Emotional Mental Health working group please contact CoalitionInfo@AshlandDecisions.org.