The goal of parenthood is to raise healthy, caring children that enter the adult world as decent, contributing members of society. Babies start out in life needing to have everything, including the very ability to survive, delivered to them. It is only as they grow and mature that they begin to understand that they are not the center of the universe and that others have needs and desires as well.

Teaching a child to share what he has with others is an early lesson on most parents' agendas. The concept of "Mine, Mine, Mine" must be replaced with the good feeling that comes with allowing others to share in the pleasure of playing a game, dunking cookies in milk or having a good story read aloud to them just as the child does.

It can be easy to allow the cruel and hostile realities of the world to darken our outlook on the future and make it hard to think past our own personal needs. But, if we want to raise our children to show compassion to their friends, family and the world in general, we must move past our own fears.

Children learn best by example. A well known quote from the Christian Bible is to "bring a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." The act of caring for the people and other living creatures that occupy this planet along side us is the very essence of a compassionate human being.

Make compassion a way of life by practicing it every day. Help your child identify people or causes that they care about and investigate together ways to share the bounty of your life with others who are not as fortunate. Even if your level of wealth is not great enough to allow you to financially support a cause, teach your child simple acts of helpful kindness.

Adopt a pet. Caring for a creature that cannot fully meet its own needs for survival will teach a child to value and care for life, whether it is another human or some other creature of the universe.

Take them with you to drop off last year's clothing that they've outgrown at the local clothing drive. Let them see you helping an elderly neighbor rake leaves, cut grass or walk their dog. When they are old enough to help, make sure they have the opportunity to offer their own assistance. If your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter will allow it, volunteer once a month and take your child along to provide whatever help they can.

Teach your child manners. It is amazingly uncommon these days to hear a simple kindness like "please" or "thank you" from anyone. Gracious manners let others know you value them enough to treat them with respect. Let your child see this in your daily life and let him know you expect the same level of behavior from him.

We cannot save the world single-handedly. But we can, with kindness and compassion, make this world a better place for everyone. One of the great acts of compassion any parent can give the world is to pass on that level of caring through their own son or daughter.

Learn more about this author, Leann Zotis.
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