In today's fast-paced information cycle, issues are often presented as black or white, right or wrong. When parents actively listen and support diverse perspectives on various topics, from child care to nutrition, they model for children how to understand and appreciate differences, encouraging a more nuanced and empathetic view of the world.

As adults, we have a better sense of what is within our locus of control and how we can approach solving problems from our mature perspective, whereas young children see a lot of problems as big and insurmountable even if they are not. The good news is that we can cultivate the growth of our child’s sense of helpfulness over time in ways that match their developmental stage, while teaching about both agency AND the interconnectedness of humanity.

Let’s make time to explore our nation’s storied history with our children. By cultivating a thorough, nuanced, and inclusive understanding of our shared history, we will be able to see each other with greater compassion as we work to build a more just society. DGT offers tools to get you started.

We’ve gathered some of our favorite tools to help you raise the next generation of engaged voters and big-hearted problem-solvers.

Try our new, printable tools to take positive action on a cause you care about. Advocating and volunteering for a cause is the best way to empower your family and let legislative leaders know that they represent everyone in their district, including your family and the causes that matter to you.

As the crisis at the border floods the news, your children may have questions. You may feel helpless to respond.  Our latest blog post can help you navigate this heartbreaking issue with your kids. As our blogger concludes, “Doing Good Together has always relied on two essential truths. In every crisis, there is something you can do to make a difference. And your family's actions, along with your empathy, will shape the next generation of helpers and heroes.”

The incivility of this heated political climate requires parents to cultivate compassion as strategically as the campaigns unravel it. This is the time to share with your children all the reasons kindness and respect are so essential; to discuss the challenge (and critical importance) of being an “upstander” in the face of offensive speech; and to exalt the power of every individual (even very small ones) to bring about positive change. 

Kids – and adults too – face difficult situations more boldly if they've thought through their responses ahead of time. To this end we've compiled the list below to get your family started.

Finding our tribe is good for our health. It's good for our jobs. It helps us live longer. But do our tribes limit our social experiences? We need to intentionally throw open the gates to new friendships and new social experiences if we’re going to expand our cultural boundaries and unlearn the prejudice that's unraveling our country.