Teaching Compassion

My children are very fortunate.  I am fortunate.  We have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, clothing on our bodies, and enough money and love not to worry about tomorrow.  Because of the opportunities my children will have, they will likely enjoy a standard of living similar to that of my husband and myself for the rest of their lives.

While I'm raising relatively privileged kids, I want them to understand that with privilege comes responsibility.  So part of my job, and one of my biggest challenges, as a mom is to ensure that my children are compassionate people and good citizens.  I think a great way to do that is to teach by example.

My husband and I have been involved in non-profit work and/or volunteer or pro bono work for most of our adult lives.  I think that this gave both of us a greater understanding of the world at large and compassion for those who have not been as lucky.  My husband worked for and was active in fund raising for the Legal Aid Society for many years.  I have been a volunteer for the YWCA, first as a hotline crisis counselor, later as a group facilitator for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and finally as an emergency room advocate for victims.

It was hard work.  It is hard work.  It's uncomfortable and heart wrenching but incredibly rewarding. 

I don't want to raise my children in an upper middle class bubble, secure in the knowledge that they deserve their lives.  I want them to understand that they have what they have through happy accident of birth and that every human being deserves the same help and consideration in their lives.

My children are 3 and 1 now, but they will be ready soon enough.  So, over the next few years, T and I will be introducing our children to their community.  We will involve them in our volunteer efforts.  We'll allow them to choose volunteer projects of their own.  And we'll introduce them to a world they haven't seen before.  While my instincts as a mother are to protect my children from things that are uncomfortable or sad, I think that in the end they'll be better men because of it.

How do you teach your children compassion?

Stephanie can also be found at Lawyer Mama, writing about her life as a working mom, and at MOMocrats writing about politics.