RAISING UNCOMMON KIDS

-Brittany Powell, Divisional Director of Next Gen

The single greatest lesson parents teach their kids isn’t anything they say, it’s what they do. And while most parents would say they want to raise compassionate kids, they might be surprised to discover just how little they’re actually modeling the behaviors they hope to pass on; qualities such as unconditional love, gentleness, forgiveness, and patience is more caught than taught.

In today’s society, the desire for more seems to be endless. More material possessions, more social media validation, more wealth, and more leisure time. And of course, every parent wants more for their children. But how do we reconcile this desire for more with the need to raise compassionate and content kids in a world that constantly preaches that more is better? How do we raise the bar and raise uncommon kids?

The solution begins with us, the parents. Before we can expect our children to demonstrate uncommon qualities, we ourselves need to embody these qualities. Wanting more for our kids is not inherently wrong, but it’s essential to consider what exactly we want more of. Personally, I find myself constantly praying for more wisdom, kindness, generosity, joy, contentment, and compassion for my children.

This doesn’t mean that we should deprive ourselves and our children of every comfort. Rather, it calls for a critical examination of who we are, our actions, our possessions, and our motivations.

While a child’s behavior doesn’t entirely reflect the influence of their parents, it’s undeniable that parental influence plays a significant role in shaping a child’s behavior. It might seem overwhelming at first, but we need to see it as an opportunity to positively impact the legacy we leave with our children.

Instead of searching for quick fixes for our kids, we should focus on evaluating our own behavior and values. Our kids observe, analyze, and emulate much of what we do and say. Therefore, if we desire change in our children, we have to start by changing ourselves. Raising kids is a long-term endeavor, not a quick sprint. However, we still aspire to see progress and potential in our parenting, especially when it comes to instilling compassion in our kids.

One of the key challenges in parenting is expecting our kids to care about global issues while neglecting to teach them love and empathy for those within their own household. To foster compassion and empathy in our children, it’s crucial for them to understand that the world extends beyond themselves and their immediate surroundings. By instilling values of empathy and kindness within the family, we can help them develop into individuals who care for others.

Here are some practical steps we can take to raise uncommon kids:

1. Create a family mission statement. In our home we say, “Stand Up Even If You Stand Out”

2. Let your children face and learn from their mistakes, preparing them for real-life challenges. Our goal as parents is to respond to their mishaps and not react.

3. Encourage your kids to seek opportunities to help at home, at school, at practice, at the game, etc.

4. Practice finding at least one positive aspect in every situation, teaching your kids to look for the good even in challenging circumstances.

5. Focus on love over justice, helping kids understand the importance of prioritizing others’ needs over their own.

By implementing these steps, we can nurture a sense of compassion, understanding, and empathy in our children, preparing them to make a positive impact in the world.

When the world is addressing what common is, let’s be parents that choose to live out the uncommon. A mentor once told me: “you teach what you know and you reproduce who you are.” Our children are simply unedited versions of our lives.

How do we raise uncommon kids? We live uncommon lives that will influence and shape our children into the young adults they are quickly becoming.