Kindness is a teachable virtue—but you have to make it a high priority.

I recently spoke with Thomas Lickona, Ph.D. for my Parenting Great Kids podcast. You can listen to our conversation here. Thomas also writes occasionally for Psychology Today, and I asked him if I could share one of his most recent posts, “Raising Kind Kids: 5 Simple Things You Can Do”. I hope you enjoy it!

1.  Use the language of kindness in your family.

This will help to convey kindness as an important family value and expectation. For example:

“Would you be kind enough to help your sister pick up the family room?”

“That was a kind thing to do.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

“Can you use kinder words to say that?”

“How can you settle this in a kind and peaceful way?”

2.   As a family, brainstorm ways to practice kindness.

Together, make a list of kind things people do for others. Examples:

– A person holds a door for someone coming behind.

– Someone gives up a seat on a bus or subway.

– People stop to help a driver who’s having trouble.

– A passerby gives food or money to a homeless person.

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