Are We There Yet 6 Signs You Raised a Caring Kid

6 Signs You Raised a Caring Kid

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Childbirth, caring for a newborn, SIDS, preschool, picky eating, toilet training, bullying, homework, friendship issues, discipline, tween issues, teen issues, dating, college - is that really what the last 20 years of my life has been about? Ok, I am actually thrilled that is what the last two decades represent.

My kids are at the end of the rainbow - talk about the Wizard of Oz! Yet when I pull away the curtain now, there is no wise, elderly man shaking in his boots. It’s just me! And I have only one question to ask - one question that will be asked of me. Did I do it “right”? Do I get the Academy Award for great parenting and raising great kids?

According to today’s leading experts there are several qualities that demonstrate that kids will thrive as adults - here are six to consider.

Compassion

According to author and International parenting expert, Alyson Schafer, "Human beings are social animals, and as such, they are wired for caring and compassion towards others. That faculty however, needs to be stimulated and developed. This is the job of the parent. Even a two year old can be helpful to others by helping hold a door open for another, or by pushing in their chair after leaving the table. They can help their parent by putting cans on a shelf, or by tidying their toys after playing. In these small ways we show children the give and take of living with others, which ultimately develops a care and concern for others. After all, that is really what compassion is all about.”

No Simple Task

According to best-selling author and nutritionist Erika Herman, “it's harder to change a teenager's dietary habits if a nutritionally conscious foundation has not been laid earlier on.” Herman says “if you focus on what can be done at home, you can set your children or teenagers up to make smarter choices simply because you're leveraging their biochemistry to not crave junk food. You achieve this mastery over cravings by eating for satiety.”

Herman offers two tips to achieve this. First, serve more satiating meals and snacks (read: fat-rich and moderate protein). Second, decrease sugar (even natural sources) and excessive starch consumption. These two simple shifts will balance the reward centers of children and teenagers’ brains so when they are away from home they are less compelled, on a neurochemical level, to crave sugary, starchy, vegetable-oil filled junk foods- - all of which are inflammatory, heighten disease risk, suppress the immune-system, and lead to weight gain.

Raising caring kids is no simple task. Role modeling, daily care and concern and a true rapport with your child will goo along way to enjoying a caring adult who will then also care about you and the world around them.