by C.D. Crowder

Created on: March 23, 2009

Compassion is the mixture of words, thoughts, and actions that allows another being to be sympathetic to the needs of another. Every day, people have the chance to be compassionate. Every time you're compassionate, you not only help another, but teach compassion to all those that witnessed your actions. The best way to encourage compassion is to make it a way of life, not only for yourself, but for your children as well.

~Be an Example

You can't expect your child to do something you're not willing to. Be compassionate, not only for your child, but for yourself as well. As you go through your day to day activities, show compassion to others. Help a shorter person reach an item on the top shelf at a grocery store. Volunteer to help at charity events. Hold the door for someone whose arms are full.
Basically, be a good, decent person.
Your child will follow suit.

~Involve Your Child in Volunteer Work

Volunteering gives children a chance to see the harder side of life. Instead of ignoring the sick, the poor, and the unfortunate, your children will learn the compassion necessary to make a difference in these people's lives.
Compassion means being able to put your own worries aside and do what you can for others. One of the best ways for children to learn this skill is by working alongside others who truly want to help others.

Children can learn not only from volunteers, but from you as well. Parents should be willing to volunteer in activities as well, especially for younger children. Children will see compassion as a way of life as they interact with those less fortunate than themselves.

~Talk to Your Child

No matter what you do, your child will have questions about compassion. In a society where many people take advantage of the empathic, it's important to explain to your children how to handle these situations.
Being taken advantage of can cause many people to become cynical and rude to others.

Explain ways to help your child avoid being taken advantage of. Talk to them about the signs of scams. Research charities you're uncertain of. Learn how to say no if you feel someone is asking too much of you or your child. It's important to explain how to say no to your child. Compassion is only a good thing if feel comfortable with it.

~Speak with Others

Talk to volunteers, coordinators, and those they help. Understand why people need help. Ask them what the assistance really means to them. Also ask the volunteers how it makes them feel to be able to help others.
Ask them what toll it takes on them to deal with the good and bad and still be able to keep a positive outlook.

Take your children with you when you talk to others. Hearing first hand accounts can sway you towards being compassionate. Knowing exactly what compassion means from those who showcase the trait daily will help develop compassion as a way of life for you and your children.

Compassion means being sympathetic, but it also takes optimism and hard work at times. To be compassionate, you must be responsible for the care you give to others. However, as you develop a compassionate lifestyle for you and your child, you discover the joy of helping others is more privilege than responsibility.

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