Teaching Compassion to Children

:  sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.

As we hear more and more about bullying what are we doing, as caregivers, to teach compassion, and possibly take the focus back to compassion instead of how to prevent bullying. I truly believe that the answer to getting rid of bullying is to bring the focus of our children AND ourselves to being compassionate of living beings around us.

Being adults, and showing compassion in front of our children or the children we are around is important. We have to take responsibility for some of the turn of events that are happening. We, I believe, have become a guarded people. If someone pulls out in front of us while we’re driving; how do we react? I have to admit I’m not the best in the car at remaining calm. I often lose my cool while driving because (this is a secret) I am the very best driver out there, and the rest of you drivers are HORRIBLE (sarcastic). I often look into the back seat and become that I have children on board and that I have shown unkindness to strangers, and have promoted non-compassionate behavior. This is a simple example but that is how compassion is taught every day; through simple acts of understanding.

I am not the only person in this world, my dog isn’t the only dog, or animal for that matter,  in this world. It is a simple kindness, and compassionate act to smile with a greeting to others around us including the homeless or people we may be fearful of because we don’t understand their circumstances. The “Golden Rule” is truly golden, and teaches compassion.

We need to think about how we would like to be treated, and treat others the way we want to be treated. I’m so ridiculous that I have a difficult time watching children and dogs chasing after the ducks and geese at the park. I see the fear in these creature’s eyes, and it hurts me to see that kind of fear inflicted upon them because we think this is fun or funny. Everything on this earth has NOT been placed here for us to utilize in thoughtlessness, and do what we please.

We should take small opportunities to explain why some actions that our children take may not be pleasant for the other living things around them. It’s a balance of standing up for ourselves and showing kindness at a time when it takes some mindfulness. If we ourselves become mindful of the beings in our lives and react in a more compassionate way it can naturally be a teaching moment for our children.