Raising “Other-Centered” Kids in a “Self-Centered” World

“It’s my ball. I want it now.” “I want that blouse; you never let me get anything new.” “The coach should let me start in the game.” “I don’t want to do that; “I want to go out with my friends.” “I don’t like this food.”

Me, Mine, I…sound familiar?

Translation: It’s your job as my parent to make sure I am happy. It’s everyone else’s job too. Please me. Cater to me. It’s my right. I’m entitled.

Oh really? And where does that leave us as parents?

It leaves us feeling frustrated, feeling like failures and in the position of never satisfying our child. Enough is never enough. Kids will always want something else. They come by it naturally. We are just like them- the only difference is that hopefully somewhere along the way we were taught that life isn’t all about us. It’s about learning to love God and serve others.

Each of us comes into the world with the natural inclination to please ourselves, to look after #1-me and to have everyone else do the same or we just might make their lives miserable. Simply put-we are selfish. Our culture caters to this. Advertisements promote what we just have to have. Parents compete with one another to have their child be the best, get the best opportunity, be first.

How do we raise kids, who are by nature self centered, in a culture that caters to this inclination which you and I know is not satisfying, not right and will only lead to more selfishness?

Here are 5 starter ideas to help us raise kids in becoming ‘other-centered.’

1. Recognize that the normal, natural instinct is to be selfish, self centered. Understanding this will alert us to the need to be intentional in our training. The default mode will always be “satisfy me.” Putting others first is not natural. It has to be taught.
2. Use every day events to train our kids. “Let him go first.” “Let her sit by the window.” When you have a play date make sure you have your child clean up before you leave their friend’s home.
3. Use meal times for intentional conversations. Ask, “Who do you know who is especially thoughtful or kind to others? How have you seen them demonstrate this?” “Why do you think putting others first is important? What are some ways we can practice this in the next 3 days?” Let each family member determine one thing they will do. Then report back how it went.
4. Plan a special family service project together. Rake a neighbor’s yard, cook double and take a meal to a tired young mom or a new family, or an elderly person. Volunteer to serve in a soup kitchen. Clean someone’s house. Babysit for free.
5. Write a letter to someone just to say I’m thinking about you. Or have little kids draw pictures and send them to a relative. Leave flowers with a note on the door steps of a person who could use some encouragement.

Teaching our kids to be other centered is a lifelong process. After all, we are still learning it ourselves! It helps to remember that we have to be intentional and that we can do this in a myriad of small ways. Don’t expect results too quickly. It may take years to feel like you are making any progress! But you are!

Originally Posted at MomLife Today