A new study out of Brigham Young University suggests that loving siblings inspire a charitable mindset,  more so than parental influence. The research found that sisters had an especially profound impact on mental health overall, and kindness in particular.

As back-to-school excitement and end-of-summer boredom has siblings across the country tugging their hair out,  this is good news for us parents.

These findings remind us that growing compassionate kids begins at home.

Compassion begins with the people gathered around your dinner table every night. If we can’t be kind and understanding among our own family, how can we bring those values into the larger world? Too often, it seems, our family members are the first to witness the side effects of a missed nap or long-over due snack… or a neglected yoga practice.

As this new research suggests, kindness and compassion are as natural among siblings as that notorious rivalry. Even on their crabby days, my daughters will defend each other from my most gentle reprimand. They look to each other for hugs and comfort over a stubbed toe or bumped head. Since they are young enough to happily share a room, neither can sleep without the other.

Lately, I have had to do more conflict intervention than usual (let’s blame the full moon).

I have been trying the old trick of making them each tell me how their action made the other feel.  The effect is remarkable. More often than not, the apologies are swift and sincere after the perpetrator has taken a walk in her sister’s shoes. I have found many other good conflict resolution tips in Raising Happiness, a book that’s proving more valuable with each chapter.

Tags: In the News, Parenting Challenges

About Sarah

Sarah Aadland is striving to make family volunteering a meaningful habit for her family of five. Join the conversation as she ponders what they may (or may not have) learned and looks for helpful information about raising compassionate kids.Though she plans to one day put her Masters in Public Policy back to work for social justice, she sees family volunteering as a way to build a stronger community, a better world, and a more connected family. In addition to her children, Sarah tends a large garden, a small flock of chickens, and a habit of mindfulness amid the necessary rituals of parenting.

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