I hold a firm belief that empathy and kindness are fundamental virtues for both individuals and societies. Nearly every major religion promotes a version of the Golden Rule, underscoring its universal importance. As parents, we experience a transformation in our outlook, yearning for our children to be treated with that same empathy and kindness. We envision a world where kids are cared for in the same way we wish our children to be treated.
However, I acknowledge that others will not view my children through the same lens I do. I don’t expect fellow parents to indulge in the chaos of my kids’ messes or to find humor in their less-than-charming jokes. I recognize that while I may have an intense love and protective instinct for them, there will be moments when I cannot shield them from the harsh realities of life. It’s my responsibility to prepare them for a world that can be unforgiving and to instill in them the importance of treating others with respect, regardless of external behavior. I encourage them to seek out the helpers because they do exist.
Reflecting on these values, I was recently unsettled by a conversation I overheard at a coffee shop. While enjoying some time with my daughter, we shared a table with three women. One woman dominated the dialogue, expressing her frustration about her daughter’s “annoying friends” who overstayed their welcome and ate her food.
The specifics of these children and their families were unclear to me, but the woman’s reaction was striking. She lamented having to provide snacks, mentioning that she had to buy a bag of “cheap apples” to avoid letting them touch her expensive Honeycrisp apples. Her comments escalated to her preparing lunch for her daughters specifically to “shoo the kids away,” and she felt irritated if they asked to stay longer. She even mentioned that while she would reluctantly make them a peanut butter sandwich, she would never share her premium lunch meat, planning to buy a jar of Jif exclusively for their visits.
I was taken aback. Here was a woman, clad in Lululemon attire and sipping an overpriced latte, grumbling about feeding children. To add to the irony, she expressed a desire to teach a kindness class in her daughter’s school — a notion that left me bewildered. Perhaps a lesson in kindness should precede her teaching aspirations.
This encounter resonated deeply with me because I was once that neighborhood kid who relied on the kindness of others. My parents worked hard and were wonderful, but there were times when I depended on neighbors for support. It pains me to think that anyone would perceive me as an annoyance unworthy of decent snacks.
To all the wonderful individuals out there who extend kindness to neighborhood children and strive to uphold the Golden Rule: THANK YOU! Your compassion is invaluable. I feel grateful to have grown up in a community that shared what little they had with open hearts. I promise that if ever a child is in need of a meal or a bit of extra care, I will be there — and I won’t be offering “cheap apples.”
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In conclusion, kindness and empathy are essential, especially toward children who might not always have the support they need. Let us strive to be the helpers in their lives, sharing love and resources openly.