Being a parent comes with a lot of responsibility. That includes taking care of kids when they’re sick, fixing them healthy meals, and making sure they get all their homework done. Although challenging, this is one of life’s greatest joys.
As a mom or dad, teaching kids goes beyond telling them stories or giving them information. More than most parents realize … children pay close attention to their actions. So, if you do something nice, there’s a good chance your kids will, too.
Showing compassion
Some people feel kids are born to be compassionate or they’re not. But in reality, this is something that children can learn from their parents. If you have compassion for something or show it to other people your kids will feel compelled to follow your lead.
A powerful message
The internet is flooded with heartwarming stories. But one, in particular, stands out. Its message is so powerful that since being posted on YouTube, it’s been viewed more than 4.5 million times.
An important question
The video begins with a father approaching his oldest daughter. As she turns around to look at him, he asks, “Want to do something nice?” Without hesitation, she agreed.
Now, the second daughter
Then, the father walks into the living room where he finds his second daughter lounging on the couch and munching on a snack. He asks her the same question. “Want to do something nice,” which she too agrees to immediately.
Their mission
After loading up in the family car, the father shares his plan with the two girls. He reveals to them that they’re heading to a local grocery store. That’s where they plan to surprise unsuspecting shoppers with free groceries.
Waiting to act
The three of them stand close to a cash register waiting to help. The store is pretty busy so this dad will have no problem accomplishing his goal of helping others. And the best part … he’s teaching his daughters an incredible life lesson about compassion.
Shocked and confused
When a shopper goes through the checkout line, before they can pay, this father steps in. He swipes his card. Each time, the people look at him in disbelief but with genuine gratitude.
Repeating the process
Standing behind random people, he tells them he wants to pay for their groceries. Over and over again, he whips out his card. The smiles you see on the shoppers’ faces are so touching because you can tell they truly appreciate this stranger’s kindness.
His daughters get involved
As you continue watching, you see his youngest daughter approach a female shopper. That’s when she tells the lady that her father would like to pay for her groceries. As with all the others, she stands there in complete shock.
Changing lives
Not only was this man changing the lives of the people shopping at the grocery store but also the lives of his two daughters. For the shoppers, he hoped his efforts would show them that there are still good people in an otherwise troubled world. As for his girls, he wanted them to witness the power of a kind gesture first-hand.
Even if you’re not in a position to pay for other people’s groceries, there are plenty of ways to do a kind deed and teach your kids at the same time. Taking cookies to a neighbor, saying “thank you” to the person in front of you who holds the door, or giving a little bigger tip the next time that you dine out are all examples.
To watch this father and his daughters in action, click on the video below!
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Source: Heredia House Foundation, Today’s Parent
