Cool to be kind

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. That’s one of my favourite quotes and how true it is. In a world where popularity is regarded as the be all and end all, the amount of likes you get determines your worth and having a massive amount of ‘friends’ on the internet makes you appear to be the coolest cat around. I quite clearly, am obviously not the coolest cat around, for having just used that phrase. How do we stop our children from believing this is how we make it in life? It makes me sad to think people would prefer to be well known than nice. The thought of them getting excited, because lots of people they don’t know want to be their ‘friend’ on the internet scares me. How can you teach your children to be kind? Is it something they just are?  My daughter Neve, told me about a girl at her school people had singled out because she was new. Neve said, she had told the girl she would be her friend, and she didn’t care if anyone else wouldn't talk to her because of it. Proud mum moment! I have never been a follower. I have always stood up for what I believe, even if that meant going against the grain, so I suppose leading by example is the best way. Focusing on the good things people do and acting really impressed when you see an act of kindness, will make them want to do it too! We really need to make it clear to our children it’s not how well known you are, but how kind you are that matters.