Is teaching empathy to kids apt? Or, is empathy inborn? Well, your child is at an early stage of their lives where they are open to new thoughts and habits. And, we all have a level of empathy in our lives. So, you can help your child bring out their empathetic side for their own benefit and the benefit of those around them.

Likewise, use this stage to counter any negative traits that may interfere with the child’s behavior and spiritual growth later on. But how do you teach empathy to your child? Today I will discuss with you 5 simple strategies that actually work.

But first let me define empathy.

Understanding Empathy

Empathy refers to the ability to understand and be compassionate to others. You know, walking in that person’s shoes to experience their pain and triumphs first hand. That way, we can easily make life decisions that are mindful of others.

How Does It Work?

Empathy works the same way our life skills do. You learn to do small acts of kindness from childhood. Eventually, these acts build up to make a positive impact in your adult life. For example, a child may grow knowing that pets and domestic animals feel pain too. Hence, they will learn to treat all animals with dignity.

Why Should Children Develop Empathy?

Here is the thing. We live in a world where individualism, greed, and self-centeredness allude as part of one’s success. Most people believe that for them to succeed, they must hurt others in the process, whether directly or indirectly. In turn, any show of kindness or compassion to the suffering is often done as a bonus via social responsibility initiatives. If not, society categorizes you as weak. 

In contrast, if you mix kids from different parts of the world, they will find a way to have fun without showing any bias to one another. These children will accept each other and form a lasting friendship. In addition, they are understanding, show empathy, compassion, and tolerance. These kids will also recognize bullies and call them out.

Yet, as the child grows, they encounter the harsh world and learn to adapt to it through complacency. You know, all of a sudden, kids start picking their friends depending on what toys they have, which house they live at, or where their parents work. That’s why as a parent, you play a crucial role in harnessing the empathetic traits in kids. That way, they can lay a solid foundation that is unshakable into adulthood.

5 Simple Strategies for Teaching Empathy to Kids

#1: Invest Your Time in Teaching Empathy to Kids

Choose one day of the week and volunteer at your local senior residents’ home, homeless shelters, or charity drives. Here, let your child tag along to witness as you feed and clothe the homeless, clean the streets, or donate blood at the local blood bank. And, if you have a passion for working with kids, take up teaching classes and be a certified preschool teacher. Volunteering is an excellent way of walking the talk.

#2: Lead by Example

Kids are keen observers of what we do. They watch how we, their parents, interact with others, taking note of most of the words and emotions we use. More so, a child may not recall their school lesson, but they will copy the parents’ responses when faced with similar challenges.

For example, a child may not know how to prepare food. However, this child will show compassion to a beggar they meet, and give that person some coins. They learn this compassion by watching their parents.

Here are some ways you can demonstrate kindness to your kids:

• Smile
• Compliment kind habits
• Do random acts of kindness
• Read or share stories of how you showed or received compassion
• Send random kind thoughts to kids
• Acknowledge the children’s efforts in being empathetic

#3: Allow the Children to Experience Empathy

Now, opportunities for showing and receiving compassion are always spontaneous. A child who is on the receiving end can better appreciate what empathy does to others. Hence, create scenarios around the home or school where kids depend on the empathetic side of others to excel.

For example, you may ration the kids’ allowances, and give the older children the opportunity to share with their younger siblings. Or, when the child is hurt, use this time to show compassion by caring for them.

#4: Introduce Your Kids to Reading about Empathy and Kindness

Do you have kids in the toddlers to pre-teens ages? They can learn about empathy by reading about it. And, guess what, it doesn’t have to be boring. Today, there are lots of children’s books on empathy and kindness that include nursery rhymes and songs, word cards, word games, or even letter magnets.

These books focus on such topics as respect, gratitude, tolerance, acceptance, and understanding. Better still, you can use the exercises and role-plays in the books to create a print-rich surrounding to instill the values of being empathetic.

#5: Adopt a Pet

Finally, having some furry friends at home has lots of opportunities for teaching empathy to kids. Think of the times the dog needs to feed, clean, vaccinate, go for a walk, or train. Let your child participate in all these tasks to ensure the pet is well taken care of. And, when you need to travel, seek the help of another child in looking after the pet until you come back.

Likewise, a child who is allergic to fur may adopt an orphaned animal at the zoo. Here, the child commits to visiting it regularly to feed it. And, this child will practice saving by donating a part of their allowance towards the animal fund.

Conclusion

Are you already raising an empath child or do you need to teach them how to be empathetic? Either way, teaching empathy to kids creates a culture of kindness and compassion to humanity. It is a win-win strategy for all. Parents, older siblings, and extended family can also teach empathy to kids by living it.

Be on the lookout for opportunities to be kind, understanding, and compassionate to others. Use these chances as practice lessons. Expand your knowledge on empathy through reading. Let the child pick a book that appeals to them and try to be part of the children’s book club.

Mudras (hand gestures) came to us from Hindu and Buddhist cultures. These gestures, despite their apparent simplicity, are striking in their results. With their help, people gain divine protection, improve their health, raise the level of well-being, and even attract love into their lives. This article will share with you 5 love mudras that will help you to attract love and manifest a harmonious relationship.

If you’re looking for improving your romantic luck, attracting the right partner, or bringing harmony to your relationship, read on!

What Is Mudra?

Mudra is a symbolic gesture often practiced with hands and fingers. Connecting the fingers in certain combinations, you can activate the meridians and direct energy throughout the body, and restore the flow of energy. Thus, each position of the hands has its own meaning and can benefit us if we learn to use this knowledge correctly.

How Do Mudras Work?

Different positions of the fingers have the ability to close or clear the energy channels. In addition, performing this or that mudra, we affect the biologically active points of the palms and fingers.

Mudras are invented for the correct redirection of energy in the body, for the control of prana, and for changing the psycho-emotional state. Also, with their help, you can eliminate problems in the body and in the mind by pressing on particular acupuncture points.

Each finger of the hand corresponds to certain energy. And each phalanx of each finger is responsible for a specific part of the body.

The index finger is associated with knowledge, wisdom, and self-confidence. It is connected to our life force.

The middle finger is responsible for patience and the ability to control feelings. This finger is connected to the heart and Anahata chakra.

The ring finger is responsible for health and vitality. This finger is connected to the respiratory and nervous systems.

The pinkie is associated with a creative component of the personality and the ability to see beauty. This finger is responsible for the pelvic organs.

The thumb is responsible for our ego, will, and logic. Also, this finger is associated with wisdom, mind, and awareness.

In addition, each finger is connected with different parts of the body and internal organs. For example, the upper phalanx of the thumb is a “projection” of the head. The ring and middle fingers correspond to the right and left foot, and the pinkie and index fingers correspond to the right and left hand.

By performing mudras with your hands, you definitely stimulate those parts of the body and organs that are directly connected to the energy channels that pass through the palms and fingers.

Fingers And Elements

Each finger is associated with one of the 5 elements.

Thumb connects us to the Fire element (Agni).

The index finger is associated with the energy of the Air element.

The middle finger is responsible for the Ether.

The ring finger connects us to the energy of the Earth.

The pinkie represents Water.

Thus, by performing mudras, you redistribute the energy in your body. You regulate its flow through the opening and closing of energy channels as you do when practicing Hatha yoga. The only difference is that in Hatha yoga you achieve this effect by taking different body poses whereas in mudra practice you do the same but with your fingers.

The thumb, representing the element of Fire, is considered the main finger in Yoga mudra. With whatever other finger the tip of the thumb comes in contact with, it will strengthen the element that this finger or a combination of several fingers represents.

How To Perform Love Mudras?

No special preparations are required to perform the mudras. You just need to take a meditative pose, choose one of the asanas (Sukhasana, Vajrasana, or Padmasana) and while you are meditating, you can easily hold the mudra. Or, you can simply relax, sit comfortably and begin to perform the mudra.

You can perform mudras anywhere: when you’re riding on public transportation, when you are listening to music or watching a movie, etc. Mudras have one very attractive factor: whether you are focused on their performance or not, whether you deeply believe in their power or not – they will work anyways (regardless of the situation and your mood).

Love mudras are recommended to be performed daily. The duration of the practice should be 5-15 minutes.

5 Love Mudras

#1: Ganesha Mudra

Named after the Hindu Elephant God Ganesha, this mudra is believed to invoke his energy as the remover of obstacles. People turn to Ganesh in the hope of gaining wealth and receiving wise advice. If you are experiencing difficulties in your family life and romantic relationships, it is time to resort to Ganesha mudra.

This powerful love mudra stimulates the Anahata chakra (Heart) and can, therefore, be considered a heart-opening practice. With regular practice, this mudra may evoke strong feelings of warmth and brightness in the heart area. As a result, you become more open and gain self-confidence. This mudra helps to settle quarrels and build trust in your relationship.

Instructions:

Bring the palms together in Anjali Mudra, before swiveling each hand so that the fingertips point towards opposite elbows. The right palm should be facing towards the body, the left palm facing away. Once in this position, slide the hands back until the fingers lock together and grasp each other. The thumbs simply rest on top of the little finger of the opposite hand. The hands stay at the level of the heart as they are energetically pulled apart without releasing the grip.

#2: Padma Mudra

Padma Mudra is a symbol of purity, light, and beauty emerging from the darkness. By practicing this beautiful mudra you’re opening yourself to the light and coming to a realization that the greatest sense of steadiness in life is an open heart. Hence Padma mudra helps you to open and balance your Heart Chakra (Anahata).

This mudra also helps to heal a “broken heart”, strengthens unconditional love for all living beings or for a particular person, opens the heart, helps to attract a soul mate, drains out the misunderstanding, and helps to release tension.

Instructions:

Take a cross-legged position. Bring the base of the palms together at the heart center, touching the thumbs and pinky fingers together. Spread the rest of the fingers out like the lotus flower opening toward the sunlight. Close your eyes and take several deep and long breaths.

Visualize a Lotus Bud in your heart that is opening more and more with each breath. When the flower blooms completely, it begins to absorb the sunlight, it is filled with love, joy, warmth, and light. Imagine and try to feel how love and compassion for all people are growing in your heart. Visualize and feel that there is so much love in your heart that there is no more room for loneliness, sadness, or any other negative emotions.

To make your mudra practice even more powerful start chanting the following mantra 108 times: Om Padme Padme Mahapadme Padmavati Maye Svaha

#3: Kundalini Mudra

Kundalini Mudra awakens our sexuality and unites the feminine and masculine energy in the body. This beautiful mudra is a symbol of the individual and universal Self merging together. Many schools of yoga and martial arts recognize the great power of our sexuality and Kundalini Mudra is a way of tapping into electric energy that is harbored within the body. This mudra helps to eliminate such problems as impotence, frigidity, and infertility. In addition, it significantly enhances sexual attractiveness.

Instructions:

Form a loose fist with your hands in front of the belly, as low as possible. Extend your left index finger and slide it inside the right fist from below. Place your right thumb on top of the left index finger, while the remaining four fingers of the right hand are wrapped around it, covering it from above.

You can practice Kundalini Mudra three times a day for 15 minutes.

#4: Shiva Linga Mudra

Shiva brings renewal through the destruction of the old, dying world. It represents youth and strength. Shiva linga is the phallic symbol of His power, the source of life. Shiva Linga Mudra represents both God and Goddess. It’s a symbol of the unification of the masculine and the feminine energies – Shiva and Shakti. In this mudra, the right hand with the upright thumb represents the masculine force and the left hand symbolizes feminine energy.

Shiva Linga Mudra helps you to feel grounded; open and balance your Muladhara Chakra. This mudra also helps in relieving anxiety and stress by calming the mind. Women can practice this mudra when they have trouble conceiving a child. This mudra is also used to gain self-confidence, banish depression, and simply get an energy boost. Regular practice of this mudra will make you more cheerful, optimistic, and attractive.

Instructions:

Keep the left hand at abdomen level and in a bowl shape. Let the fingers of the left hand stay together. Making a fist, place the right palm over the left palm. The thumb of the right hand should be extended upward. Hold this mudra for 15 minutes.

#5: Ushas Mudra

Named after the goddess Ushas (the goddess of the dawn) who is said to bring light to the world each morning and banish oppressive darkness. This beautiful mudra symbolizes and harnesses the energy of creativity and life, and setting things in motion. Each morning, Ushas provides us with a new dawn, a new day, and the opportunity to start again.

Ushas Mudra helps to harmonize intimate relationships. It works best when you perform it with your partner. This powerful love mudra generates vibrations of sexual attraction, eliminates problems in the reproductive sphere, increases sexual energy, and deepens intimacy. Its practice helps to harmonize hormones, awaken sexuality, and create pleasure.

Instructions:

Interlace the fingers so that the palms are facing your body, and the thumb tips are touching. For men, it’s traditional to place the right thumb on top, and for women – the left.

Rest your hands on your lap and visualize a dawn sky, peace, quietness, and the hint of a rising sun. As you visualize this, begin to bring into your awareness positive changes you want to make in your life. See yourself living and feeling how you want to live. Make the images in your mind as vibrant and realistic as you can.

Either silently or out loud, chant the mantra Om Ushase Namaha to invoke Ushas’ energy.

Continue the practice for as long as feels comfortable.

The Bottom Line

Love Mudras are a simple yet powerful way to align yourself with the vibrations of Divine love and increase your attractiveness. When you’re practicing Love Mudras, try to stay focused on your intentions and visualize the desired result. Remember that where the intention flows, the energy goes. Therefore, combining love mudras with intentions, visualizations, love mantras, or love affirmations will significantly increase the effectiveness of your practice.

Do you suspect that you are raising a narcissistic child? At that age, there is hope. As a parent, you have a lot of ways to regulate this trait and guide your child towards empathy. Children are at a teachable stage where they form new habits with ease.  

If you know of a narcissistic spouse, sibling, kin, or friend, chances are this person has had these traits since childhood.  A narcissistic child emotionally abuses or manipulates others innocently and gets away with it into adulthood. Unfortunately, this mental disorder grows tough to tame in adulthood. In addition, this now narcissistic parent may pass on this habit to their children.

This explains why most researchers and child psychologists avoid labeling any child as a narcissist. They argue that a child’s personality will continue developing until their mid-20s. Hence, a child who behaves entitled will not necessarily turn into an adult narcissist, and so forth.  

So, this guide will help you identify narcissistic children and give you tips on positive parenting. But before I get there, let me help you understand what we mean by a narcissistic child and the key character traits.

Who is a Narcissistic Child?

Narcissism is a personality disorder whereby the individual has a yearning for control. They manipulate others to achieve their selfish goals. In other words, this person always targets another person with emotional needs, to make them their victim. Consequently, the narcissist gets nourishment from the attention and respect they get from the victim.

Usually, most ties with a narcissist are superficial and lack any empathy. The narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) often comes with substance abuse, eating or bipolar troubles, and other psychiatric disorders that hinder its treatment.

Child neglect, trauma, or unnecessary appraisals (over-pampering) are some of the reasons that trigger narcissistic habits in kids. This child looks up to others to fulfill the emotional void they have.

For example, a child who feels not accepted as they are by the parents will have a constant need for warmth and approval. In turn, the child becomes self-centered, to the point of hurting other kids.

5 Signs/Symptoms of a Narcissistic Child

#1: Sense of Entitlement/Denying Dependence

All kids naturally look up to adults for admiration and dependence. They get age-appropriate attention and will acknowledge this care. More so, kids value correction and will be grateful for it.

However, narcissistic children deny that they are dependent on anyone. Rather, they have an entitled view to any nurturing they receive from the adults. And, they will neither return this attention nor accept correction.

#2: Constant Need for Attention

A narcissistic child feels stably loved. They feel that they get conditional love that only comes when they succeed. This scenario is quite common in competitive families where kids are rewarded for the highest achievements only.

For example, the child may get praise and notice only when they become top for their science fair contest. And, when the child scores an “A” in mathematics, the parent may ask for an “A+”. This constant pressure to perform leaves the child looking for attention and approval from the parents, siblings, and peers.

#3: Lack of Empathy

Since a narcissistic child has a constant need for attention, the child struggles to relate to others. This child never sees the other person’s point of view, hence, grapples with closeness. In turn, a narcissistic child has limited social interactions. This kid is the one who always feels out of place in a team or a crowd. The retreat may lead to anxiety and depression, triggering self-destructive habits.

#4: Breaking Boundaries

Does your child break the rules? See, if a narcissistic child knows that misbehaving will get them what they want, they will constantly break rules at home and school. Think of instances when kids get away with whining over nothing. Or, a parent who buys toys for a child throwing fits at Walmart just to make them stop screaming. The child simply discovered that mischief works.

#5: Impulsive Behavior

A narcissistic child acts without any thought or whim. For example, they are the first to interrupt you when talking, cut queues at school, blurt out things, and take random risks. This child has low self-control. More so, they may get on the defensive if they sense you treat them, not the behavior, as the problem.

Tips and Recommendations to Avoid Raising Narcissists

#1: Teach Empathy and Compassion

Children can switch from being self-centered to becoming empathetic as per your guidance. Here, you can show empathy and compassion by creating the right conditions at home that sustain empathy.

For example, do random acts of kindness, thank your kids for doing their best, and let them know that it is okay to make a mistake while learning. Next, volunteer at a nearby homeless shelter; adopt a pet and read stories and books that teach about empathy and kindness.

#2: Encourage them to Pursue Their Passions

Most narcissistic children are born creative. They know what they want and will use those around them to get it. Use this drive to guide your child into pursuing their passions as early as possible. This approach helps the child stay busy instead of lonely away from the peers. Plus, they feel wanted and valued as a special member of the family.

#3: Nurture Responsible Behaviors

Finally, counter the impulsive behaviors in narcissistic children by encouraging responsibility. For example, let the child know that every action has a repercussion. It will make them think before engaging in unnecessary risks.

Likewise: –

• Reward them for being patient
• Walk the talk
• Practice effective listening
• Get down to the child’s level
• Strive to keep your promises
• Know which battles to pick with the child

In Conclusion

Children can outgrow their narcissistic tendencies. They do so with the help of parents and their peers, using course-correction strategies. If you fear that you are raising a narcissistic child, start by taking the personality test. Then, examine the child’s lifestyle to pick out any abuse, neglect, or over-pampering that could be triggering the behavior. Finally, counter it with passion, compassion, and responsibility.

Children learn fast. They adapt to the home environment you create. With the right guidance, you can turn any narcissistic child into an empathetic one.