How to Teach Your Kids to Empathize With Others
When my son and daughter were six and four, respectively, they got into an argument that escalated to my daughter socking my son. Marshall, being the boy that he is, gladly retaliated and hit her back. Kristen was shocked.
She came crying to my wife, but her cry wasn't one of hurt. It was a cry of disbelief. She just couldn't believe Marshall hit her. After explaining what he had done, Marshall quickly jumped in to offer his version of the story: "Well, she hit me first."
"Is this true?" asked my wife, looking at Kristen. It was then that we found out why she was so shocked that Marshall retaliated. Kristen replied, "Yes, but the Bible says that when someone hits you, you're not supposed to hit them back."
I have to admit, I was proud of her for having Scripture in mind. But she sure butchered the application. Naturally, I had never considered this passage in Matthew 5 as permission to strike someone without fear of retaliation. And, when we tried to explain the correct use of the Scripture, she just couldn't understand. Why? Because she was sure her perspective was the right one.
While some kids are better at it than others, it's not natural to see things from another person's perspective -- to empathize with them. We all have to be taught.
So how can you teach your children to avoid arguments and empathize with others? We teach our children that their anger is like a railroad crossing. When a train is coming, the crossing gate comes down, the lights flash, and the sirens blare. All of them are signals that danger is coming down the tracks.
Similarly, when a sibling or friend crosses them, their eyes burn and their voice blares, they need to know they're in dangerous territory. Big trouble is coming down the tracks. And if they keep going, they're going to get smacked. Instead, they need to use those signs as clear signals that they need to stop. Their anger is telling them, "Danger! You're thinking only of yourself!"
Satan loves to use anger to get us to sin. We need to teach our children how to use it to move us toward righteousness and healthy relationships. Using it as a signal for selfishness does exactly that. And it also reminds them to look at the situation from the other person's perspective. Of course, children aren't going to be that sensitive to this signal. So you'll likely need to remind them many times before they recognize it themselves.
Related Tags: children, empathy, anger, selfishness
Steve Kroening writes for Success magazine and also publishes Wisdom's Edge. You can get Biblical tips on health, finance, relationships, parenting, and success, delivered to your email inbox every week. Simply visit http://www.wisdomsedge.com and sign up for this free e-zine.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- The Unused Power
Ever wondered what would have already been accomplished on this earth if only a handful of people ha - How Horoscope / Astrology Does Affect A Person's Happiness
When we speak about happiness, it reflects on two variations. One as an emotion like being happy or - Using The Internet For God
Do you have a Christian product, service or message that you would like to inexpensively advertise a - Get The Latest Catholic Church Mass Times Now On The Internet
Get to know the Catholic Church Mass Times through the Internet. It is generally obligatory to atten - Horoscope Compatibility For Libra, Capricorn, Sagittarius
According to psychic readings, people under this horoscope signs are somewhat different and somewhat - Know Your Life Through Psychic And Clairvoyance!
Having psychic and clairvoyant readings done from professionals is the best way to know the flaws th - Astrology/horoscopes: Why People Love Astrology
Astrology/horoscopes is the study of celestial body movement. Astrologers believe that the movement - Benny Hinn: India Healing Crusade
Benny Hinn recently conducted a healing crusade in India that drew one of the largest crowds ever. P - Sun, Moon, Ascendants Sign In Birth Chart Wheel
The Ascendant signs or the rising sign - is the zodiacal sign and degree that was ascending on the e - Zodiac Sign Gemini And Its Houses Description
Understanding Zodiac is not that difficult at all, determining your reading for the said subject doe
Most viewed articles in this category:
- No Sign in the Prayer Test
The recent release of the Richard Dawkins book, "The God Delusion", has brought renewed accusations - Bible Versus Quran Versus Sciences Array (2) the Bees
Before dealing with the topic of the Bees in Quran versus Bible versus sciences, it is mandatory to - Understanding the Heart
(If you wish to more benefit from this article, please read first our "The Alems" titled article. - Christian Dating vs Courtship
Over the past decade, or so, It's become popular in modern churches to use the concept of courtship - Bible Versus Quran Versus Sciences, Array (19) the Birds
The issues concerning the Birds in the Bible are:1) The Birds are Detestable and intolerable, 2) The - Starting the Wealth Process
Luke 6:38 KJV Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken togethe - Dissolving the Illusion of Fear
Webster defines fear as unpleasant emotions cause by expectation or awareness of danger. However, - Crossing Paths with a Whistleblower
Mordechai Vanunu grew up in an Orthodox Jewish home but abandoned the faith by his mid teens. He bec - Conspiracy Madness
In connection with the WTC disaster there are conspiracy theories that have been proposed. Such as t - How You Dream Your World Into Existence
Reality is not real. It is a dream. This is not a metaphorical statement. On the quantum level of