Raising Kind Kids in an Unkind World

My 8-year-old daughter came home from school crying because kids were making fun of her classmate's lunch. "Why are people so mean, Mom?" she asked.

It broke my heart, but it also gave me an opportunity to talk about kindness as a choice—and a superpower.

We talked about how being different isn't bad, how everyone deserves respect, and how she could be the person who stands up for others. The next day, she sat with the boy at lunch and asked about his food. Soon, other kids joined them.

Teaching kindness isn't just about telling kids to "be nice." It's about modeling empathy, discussing difficult situations, and showing them that their actions matter.

We practice kindness at home through family service projects, gratitude discussions, and celebrating when we see kindness in action. Because raising kind kids isn't just good for them—it's good for the world they'll inherit.