Ever heard the saying kindness costs nothing, but it’s worth a lot? Well I am trying to inspire my children to be more kind and grateful for what they have.
We often see children these days act so very “entitled” like they deserve the world and everything in it!
Excuse me, but no! Back in the day children were taught to have manners and work hard for what they had.
Post Contains Affiliate Links full disclosure can be found on my Disclaimer page.
Whether it was by doing chores, or just random acts of kindness, showing good manners and good behavior, these were the kinds of things that made many of us the people we are today!
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Every act of kindness is a Sadaqa (charity)” (Bukhari, Muslim)
We should use this as a base to try and teach our kids mercy and kindness, in return it will make them more compassionate towards others.
Note To Self –
First thing is to begin by modeling the behavior you’d like to see. No matter how much we talk about being kind or the right way to act, kids learn by watching the little things we do! For instance, I’m forever shouting & in return my 5 year old is the same which isn’t a good thing!
Listen. It’s easy for us to tell our kids they should listen, and then cut them off when they’re chatting non stop.
If we want our kids to be good listeners, make sure we’re good listeners too!
Use kind words and a kind tone – I try hard to be aware of when I’m angry I am trying to pause and take a breath before speaking when the kids are playing up. That helps reduce the likelihood that I’ll use a tone of voice that I wouldn’t want my kids to use. I really need to work on this because I can see the negative effect it has.
Regular Gratitude. Remind your children of how lucky they are, no matter their age. We want them to be thankful for more than just their toys!
Acts Of Kindness –
Start with implementing simple basics –
- When you get home, say Salam to your family. “When you enter your home, greet your family with the salutation of ‘Assalamu alaikum’. This will be a source of blessings for you and your family” (Tirmidhi).
- Do a chore for someone without them knowing.
- Say something nice to someone else as, “A good word is charity” (Bukhari, Muslim).
- Give up your seat for someone, especially an elderly person. “He is not of us who does not have mercy on young children, nor honors the elderly” (Tirmidhi).
- Go through old toys and give them to charity.
- Get the kids to save a little each week and at the end of the month buy something for an orphan or send it to a local charity
- Take stale bread/leftovers to feed the birds.
- Give water or a cold drink to a delivery driver/worker.
- Make a compliments jar and write anonymously nice things about each other on strips of paper, when one is feeling a bit down… open the jar and read a strip to yourself.
- Help an older person cross the road, get on a bus, open the door for them.
- Help an elder with shopping or any odd jobs around the house.
- Take the time out of your day to spend time with an elderly family member, neighbour or friend.
- Bite your tongue and stop yourself from saying something unkind.
- Make duaa for someone even if they annoy you.
- Smile it’s Sunnah! 🙂
Once we begin to bring these acts of kindness into our daily lives we can see our children’s behavior changing for the better, when there is mercy and kindness…. there is humanity!
What random acts of kindness are you willing to introduce to your children’s daily routines?
If you already have, what changes have you seen? Do you have any you would like to add to this list? Please let me know in the comments below & don’t forget to share!
This is a great post! I always try to be as kind as possible. Just as you said, children think they deserve the world now-a-days. I’m hoping when my time comes to have children, they will be kind and appreciative as well. This can definitely be used in different scenarios like Lauren said. Useful information for not only children, but relationships, friends, and coworkers!
Author
Thank you! Yes we can often take our relationships with coworkers for granted, good point!
I love this! I don’t have kids, but I’m going to put it into use with myself and my significant other and even my coworkers. By showing gratitude and doing random acts of kindness, they will become grateful as well and feel that I am grateful for them! (no one wants to feel like they have are being taken for granted!) Also, the part about taking a moment to change your tone of voice reminds me of what my dad taught me: “It’s not what your say, it’s how you say it.” and that is another thing I need to focus on with my SO. Sometimes when I’m annoyed over something little my tone does not show gratitude for him in my life.
Author
Your father was right!…. just the tone can really change up the scene & potentially stop an argument escalating!
Thanks for your feedback!