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Being a grandparent is a special role that comes with great responsibility and opportunity.
As grandparents, we have the ability to share our knowledge and life experiences with our grandchildren, and one of the most important things we can teach them is kindness. The world needs more of it, and as grandparents, we can play an important role in helping to raise a generation of kind and empathetic individuals.
In this list, we’ll explore some of the ways that grandmas can teach their grandchildren kindness in a natural and organic way:
I love baking cookies, pies, and other sweet treats. And what better way to teach my grandchildren about kindness than by sharing our baked goods with our neighbors? Make a few extra batches of cookies and deliver them to neighbors as a surprise! After all, who doesn’t love a delicious treat?
Volunteer Together
Volunteering is a great way to teach your grandchildren about kindness and the importance of helping others. Find a local charity or community organization that you and your grandkids can volunteer at together. Whether it’s serving meals at a homeless shelter or visiting a nursing home, your grandchildren will learn the value of helping others in need.
Write Thank You Notes
In this digital age, handwritten notes have become rare and special. As a grandma, I can teach my grandchildren to write thank-you notes for gifts or acts of kindness. It’s a simple gesture, but it goes a long way in showing appreciation and gratitude. Plus, it’s a great way to teach them good manners.
Do Random Acts of Kindness
Teach your grandkids to be on the lookout for ways to do random acts of kindness. Hold the door open for someone, pick up litter, or help an elderly person with their groceries. Small gestures can make a big difference, and your grandchildren will feel good about making a positive impact.
Make Care Packages
Who doesn’t love getting a surprise package in the mail? Help your grandkids make care packages for friends, family, or even strangers with small gifts, notes, and other items. It’s a fun way to teach your grandchildren about empathy and kindness.
Encourage Empathy
I want my grandkids to learn to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. One way to do this is by talking about how others may feel in certain situations. For example, if we see someone who looks sad or upset, we can talk about how they might be feeling and brainstorm ways to make them feel better.
Practice Kindness at Home
Teaching kindness starts at home, so encourage your grandkids to be kind to their siblings, parents, and other family members. Talk to them about how small acts of kindness, like sharing toys or giving compliments, can make a big difference in someone’s day.
Read Books About Kindness
Books are a great way to teach children about important topics, and there are plenty of books out there that focus on kindness. I love reading books about kindness with my grandkids and talking about the lessons they teach. Some of our favorites include “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein and “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio.
Model Kindness
Actions speak louder than words, so model kindness for your grandkids by being kind to others and demonstrating empathy in your daily life. By seeing you practice kindness, your grandkids will learn that it’s an important value to prioritize in their own lives.
Teach Forgiveness
One important aspect of kindness is forgiveness. Grandmas can help their grandkids understand that everyone makes mistakes and that it’s important to forgive others and move on. We can talk about times when we’ve needed to ask for forgiveness or when we’ve had to forgive others, and how it made us feel.
Spend Time in Nature
I don’t know about you, but I love spending time outside with my grandkids! It’s a great opportunity to teach them about the environment and the creatures that live in it. We can talk about how we can be kind to the earth and the animals around us by picking up litter and being respectful of their habitats.
Encourage Kindness to Yourself
Teaching kindness isn’t just about being kind to others but being kind to ourselves. You can encourage your grandkids to take care of themselves by getting enough rest, eating healthy foods, and doing things that make them happy. By prioritizing their own self-care, they’ll be better equipped to show kindness to others.
Play Games that Encourage Kindness
Playing games is a great way to teach children about kindness in a fun and interactive way. I play games with my grandkids that encourage them to be kind to each other. For example, we can play “Compliment Tag,” where we take turns giving each other compliments as we tag each other.
Teach Gratitude
Teaching gratitude is a great way to foster kindness in your grandkids. As a grandma, I can encourage my grandkids to be grateful for the things they have and the people in their lives. We can make gratitude lists together and talk about the things we’re thankful for each day.
Have Meaningful Conversations
No matter their age, you can have meaningful conversations with your grandkids about important topics, including kindness. Talk about how to handle difficult situations with kindness, and how to stand up for what’s right. By having open and honest conversations, you can help your grandkids become kind and compassionate individuals.
Teaching kindness to our grandchildren is one of the most important things we can do as grandparents. By modeling kind and empathetic behavior and engaging in activities that promote kindness, we can help our grandkids become compassionate, caring individuals who will make a positive impact on the world around them. Let’s embrace our roles as grandmas and continue to spread kindness, love, and compassion wherever we go!
