6 BOOKS THAT TEACH YOUR CHILD TO BE KIND

While there are so many ways to instil kindness in our children, one of my favourites has to be through books. There are many great books that can teach children about kindness, and here are 6 of our favourites:

1. The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin:

The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin

This is a beautifully worded, inspiring book that conveys great life values to children on all the things they can be when they grow up. Young children are shown that there is more to life than just a profession.

2. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig:

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

This book shows the struggle of a kid who feels invisible at school until a new child comes to class. It teaches us how one person can make a difference in someone else’s life and how an act of kindness can make others feel valued

3. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead:

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead

A heartwarming story about nurturing relationships. A kind zookeeper falls sick and is unable to come to work, so all his animal friends take a bus to his house to keep him company and make sure he is alright. This definitely tops the list for me.

4. Have You Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud:

Have You Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud

This book does a great job at teaching our kids about the concept of showing kindness as well as accepting kindness from others and how easy and rewarding it is to be kind and welcoming. 

5. Kindness is my Superpower by Alicia Ortega:

kindness is my Superpower by Alicia Ortega

Teaching empathy, acceptance, compassion and generosity, Kindness Is My Superpower shows our kids that it is okay to make mistakes and say "I'm sorry”.

6. Kindness Makes Me Stronger by Elizabeth Cole:

Kindness Makes Me Stronger by Elizabeth Cole

An optimistic book for teaching young children the magical powers of kindness, respect and empathy in a fun and playful way.

Although these books are for young children, we adults need them sometimes too. I love these books for myself and my daughter. Teaching our children to be kind is one of the most important values we can instil in them. It helps them develop and succeed both in school and life. Be kind Riase kind.

Self Care- The Key To A Kinder World

We live in a world that constantly demands us to be more perfect, more successful, and more productive. A stay-at-home parent is bombarded with conflicting messages to go out and financially contribute to the family while a working parent is told to contribute more to their child’s upbringing. This relentless pressure to be more and do more can take a toll on our physical and mental health.

What if being kind to ourselves sets off a chain reaction, inspiring us to be kinder towards those around us?

While bubble baths and manicures may be enjoyable, they are not the only way to practice self-care.

1. Carve out some time for yourself daily - Music, dance or long baths, whatever it may be, take some time out for yourself every day to do things you love.

2. Prioritize a healthy lifestyle - Eating healthy, being physically active and getting quality sleep are the key to a balanced life.

3. Practice mindfulness - Cultivate awareness in the present moment with meditation, breathing exercises, yoga and other practices.

4. Be grateful - Appreciate the positive aspects of your life. Keep a gratitude journal and notice the change in your mindset.

5. Engage in hobbies - Dedicate some time each week to pursue interests that bring you joy and fulfill your life.

6. Spend time with family and friends - We all need human connection, to love and be loved. Spending quality time with people who support and understand us is an integral part of self-care.

7. Practice self-compassion - Treat yourself the way you would treat others. Often, we tend to be overly critical and demanding of ourselves. Instead, let's be gentle and mindful of our inner voice.

8. Set clear boundaries - Be it in our personal life or professional life, we all struggle to set boundaries and say no. Learning to say no to things you don't have the bandwidth for, can protect your mental peace and energy.

9. Nature bathing - Spending time in nature away from your gadgets can go a long way in recharging your mental space.

10. Pamper yourself - Everybody deserves to treat themselves to things they love, every now and then. Take yourself shopping, get that massage you have been wanting, take yourself out to dinners, and do things that make you feel special.

We all have an array of responsibilities we have to tend to on a daily basis, and more often than not these responsibilities take priority over self-care. As a new mother myself, I quickly learned that self-care is essential for being a better parent and spouse. It helped me embrace myself, destress, effectively manage my emotions and be more present with my family. Self-care is not a luxury, but rather an investment in your happiness and health, it is an act of kindness towards yourself!

In a world that constantly tells you you are not enough, be resilient and say “I am more than enough”!

Do you have any self-care rituals you swear by? Please share with us in our comments section. Follow our socials and website to know more about Be Kind Movement programmes and campaigns.

Kind Parents Raise Kind Children

While we must prepare our children for this competitive world and give them the best possible start in life, it is equally vital to raise them to be kind. As parents, we are responsible for moulding the next generation and how we do it defines the kind of world they create. Imagine having the opportunity to nurture and shape the lives of future presidents, prime ministers, lawmakers, doctors and other influential members of society. A person's kindness impacts their decisions, which in turn impacts the world. Raising kind children is a gift to your children as well as to society.

As parents, we are well aware of the complexities of parenting, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, here are six things we can do to help them grow up as kind individuals -

1. Children learn from what they see and not what they are told - Encourage empathy and kindness in your daily life and inspire your children to follow suit.

2. Promote Kindness and Respect - As parents are sure to make mistakes, we are human after all! Try to be kind at your weakest moments and respect your children enough to apologise where needed.

3. Practice empathy - Encourage your children to listen and validate others’ emotions while learning to respect and understand different perspectives.

4. Teach acceptance - We live in a diverse society and teaching our kids to accept each others’ differences can foster friendships and inclusivity.

5. Practice self-care as a parent - When your children see you treating yourself with kindness, they will most certainly learn to treat themselves with kindness as well. Only if you are kind to yourself, can you be kind to others around you.

6. Appreciate your children for their kindness - Don't forget to praise them when they do something right.

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Providing your children with a loving, safe environment will help them become stronger and kinder individuals. Many studies have shown that kindness is a valuable quality which helps your children succeed and live happier lives. Kind children lead to kinder classrooms kinder universities and kinder workspaces.

Be kind, Raise kind!
Be Kind Movement's initiatives to promote kindness among children through storytelling, educational resources, and creative workshops have significantly impacted many lives. For more information about our programmes, please visit our website.

It is said that it takes a village to raise a child, so share any advice and opinions you have for parents. Join us in making the world a kinder and better place.