Incorporate an extra dose of kindness into your next family vacation
In today’s world, a little kindness goes a long way. In fact, research shows that encouraging kids to be kind has a positive influence on a slew of academic, health and social outcomes including increased selfesteem, motivation to learn and resilience.
There is no better time than now to incorporate an extra dose of kindness into your next family vacation.
Pack an attitude of gratitude: Lead with a smile and offer thanks to those you meet along the way. From harried flight attendants, pilots, TSA agents and front desk personnel to tour guides, bus drivers and restaurant servers, encourage the kids to say thank you when appropriate. Consider leaving a note or crayon drawing along with your tip. If you loved your hotel stay, leave a note congratulating the whole crew for a job well done.
Be aware of your surroundings: Talk about the need to give people space and to respect the choices of other travelers. Discuss (and model) how offering a seat or opening a door can be helpful. Encourage the heavily laden or parents managing a cranky child to go ahead in line. In the queue for a soda or coffee? Quietly pay for someone behind you in line. By taking notice, opportunities for extending kindness will multiply.
Build character and compassion: As always, travel provides parents the opportunity to model what matters most. Will you exhibit patience when your planned activities must shift? Will you continue to smile when your hotel room is not ready, or the restaurant server accidentally spills a drink on your table? As travel gets underway again, delayed flights, weather changes or uneven service can help all of us learn to live in the moment.
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