The Daddy & Family Magazine Winter 2014 Issue #1 | Page 66

What are YOU teaching them?
By Michael Mataluni

It is one of the most important things in my life. It
makes me happy when given or received, at any
point that it passes between two beings. It is the
simple acknowledgement that other people are
here, one this planet, sharing this space with me,
and that I wish them well. I seek kindness out, and
it finds me continuously. Kindness is
uncomplicated. Kindness can be a habit, so I am
building it that way for my kids in their lives. I
want for them to have it too.

single, teeny tiny, minute portion of your behavior. I
constantly show them the kindness that I direct toward other
humans and in turn I see them behaving the same way.

Sometimes when I take a simple trip to the grocery store I come
home lit up. The other day I had a conversation with the person
who was checking me out. We started talking about gluten
intolerance and the problems that she was having. I am pretty
sure that I helped her out a lot. It makes me really happy. I
remember each person that I encounter…even the person who
smiles and waves when I stop for them at the crosswalk. These
simple encounters, when noticed are powerful.

How cruel must we be to behave this way? I am sure that it is
the reason that I have always disliked large cities, even though
I love the culture that can be found within them, often the
people are cold. It really bothers me. Imagine what a better
place the world would be if we all started caring about each
other just a little bit more? What if people started making it
their mission to have a positive interaction with each and
every person that they meet in their day?

The most powerful thing about them is that my children notice
each and every one of them. I’ve said it before, and if you are a
parent it should be your mantra. Kids typically attempt to tune
you out when you are talking to them, but they notice every

I know that for some people this is probably nauseatingly
optimistic. I get it. I know that we all get stressed and worried
in our lives and the last thing that we want to do is try to
reach out to others. The thing is though, especially when I am

Kids who aren’t kind are not, absolutely not, unkind because it
is something that is not in them. They are unkind because it is
what they are repeatedly witnessing. It is in part the
awareness of all of the people surrounding us. Some people
are so self-absorbed that they can be surrounded by people,
but not even see any of them. If a parent does this repeatedly
in front of their children the children will model the behavior.
The attitude says: “I don’t care about you. You are not
significant in my reality. You may as well not even exist.”