Dr. Kimberly Schehrer is a Teen Breakthrough Expert with Raising Unstoppable Teens. She is known for supporting struggling students with turning their grades around and elevating their self-esteem.
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words and actions.
Modeling Kindness Tip: Find a teachable moment with your teen to share a story of when you were vulnerable, had a setback or felt embarrassment - and what you learned from it.
Being respectful is an act of kindness. Modeling respectful behavior shows others how you want to be treated. Feeling respected is an important aspect of a healthy level of self-worth and self-love.
Modeling Kindness Tip: Showing respect for others is an everyday opportunity. When you
smile at a stranger or volunteer to help someone, you’re sending a message to your teen that kindness is a value which brings joy to self and others.
Accepting “imperfections” is an act of kindness. When we let go of the need to be right or perfect, we open ourselves to greater self-acceptance and show up as less judgmental of others. Teens want to be understood, and not to be lectured to about how to do things perfectly.
Modeling Kindness Tip: Show your teen that life isn’t about
being right or perfect by sharing with them those moments when you make a mistake or do something less than perfectly.
Acknowledging kindness is an act of kindness. When you comment on a generous act that your loved one has done, it reinforces their generous and kind behaviors. This is especially effective with children because they can soak up all the positive affirmations you have to give. It also helps them connect to the good feelings that kindness can bring. And, of course, it feels good to you too!
Modeling Kindness Tip: Notice when your teen is being generous to someone else, and acknowledge them for it. Compliments are a precious gift to the giver and the receiver!
I hope you have discovered a new awareness, or a valuable reminder, of what kindness is and can be in your journey of self-love, and that you explore all of the wonderful emotions that are associated with being kind to others and to oneself.
“When awareness is brought to an emotion,
power is brought to your life.”
~ Tara Meyer Robson.
RHG Magazine & TV Guide TM - February 2020 © All rights reserved.