How do we raise good children? There really is no special answer to that question but the most important thing we can do, and a crucial starting point is to lead by example. KoKoAdora is family run and started because of family for other families. A lot of parenting messages around raising good children have resonated within our network, so I wanted to share a great way to instil kindness in our children.
I recently shared a story around my daughters who started copying my husband, by starting to pick flowers and gift them to each other because they would see my husband gift flowers to me. No matter how often we tell our children to be kind to each other, nothing is as powerful as showing them the act of kindness to mimic.
The opportunity to be kind is everywhere, we need to take the chance to demonstrate this to our children, so they learn to be kind as a way of life. When other kids cry at drop off in the morning at day-care, I tell my kids to go and hug them, so they won’t be sad because nobody likes being sad. My eldest daughter becomes so happy if someone stops crying as a result of her hug and she reassures them mummy and daddy will come back later. What’s important is understanding the power of kindness and/or giving to those that are in need or less fortunate. This in return also creates a sense of gratitude and appreciation as well and teaches our children powerful lessons when magnified through age.
Teaching our kidsthe act of giving and kindness leaves ripples of happiness and good in the world. The size of the gesture is not what is important, it is the concept that is important.
In my opinion, a powerful way to teach kindness is doing acts of kindness together as a family. It could be something as simple as cleaning out old clothes and making a trip to the local salvation army drop off bin. It doesn’t have to be supporting a charity, but it is a great place to start so I have listed some awesome family and children charities you may want to consider supporting as a family:
- Family Volunteering Holidays Abroad | Projects Abroad
- Volunteer abroad with familyand make your next holiday an unforgettable bonding and learning experience as you give back to others or the environment.
- The Mum Powered Charity That’s Helping Local Families in Need
- 100% powered by local mum’s – this charityis helping familieswho are welcoming new babies into the world under very difficult circumstances.
- Welcome to Barnardos Australia – We believe in children
We work together with children, young people and families to break the cycle of disadvantage, creating safe, nurturing and stable homes, connected to family and community.
Aussie Helpers stays in touch with 100’s of farming families to ensure their wellbeing and survival through good and bad times.
Family Life is a specialist family services provider working with vulnerable children, families and communities since 1970.
Mums Supporting Families in Need provides quality second hand material aid such as Cots, Bassinettes, Carseats and Prams for Babies; Clothing, Shoes, Linen.
Help restore sight to the many people that stay needlessly blind. Find out more! Top 100 NGOs Worldwide. $25 can restore sight.
Giving Kids a Happy and Healthy Childhood Since 1890 in Queenscliff, VIC. Attending 1,500 Kids Each Year. Accepting Money, Gifts, and Goods.
Try and select an interactive activity or make an exercise around a donation, for example, a gentle story around the need to help one of the charities and getting your children to draw a picture for the sick or sad child they are helping. Kids love stories and drawing so an easy connection can be made if thought through properly. Make the gesture as educational as possible and when you get a thank you email or letter, share it with your children and let them feel responsible for the outcome and reward them with praise for the good deed.
Regardless of supporting a charity as a family or not, being mindful of kindness everyday is so important and the world becomes a better place as a result. It is our job one child at a time and as parents to make a difference for the future. Our children are our legacy, what legacy are you leaving in the world?
A dress on your child from KoKo Adora in February will also give a dress to a child in need in February. In the month of February, for every online sale that is made, KoKo Adora will donate an equal amount of new clothes to children in need.
We will be donating to Barnados Australia. They stopped accepting clothing as donations because of the condition the clothing was coming in, but we will donating brand new clothes and also some matching mummy and me designs to hopefully put a smile on some faces. Barnardos Australia believes all children and young people deserve caring families in which they can grow safely and fulfil their potential. They work together with children and families to break the cycle of disadvantage, creating safe, nurturing and stable homes, connected to family and community.
Kind regards
Bernadette Habkouk – Owner of KoKo Adora
