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Forget Being Smart, I’m Raising My Daughter to Be Kind

I get the pressure to raise smart kids. Really, I do. In fact, driving home from a play date not long ago, I heard an ad on the radio in which a woman insisted I do my homework on daycare places because early education starts, well, early. The ad also suggested that if my 18-month-old isn’t starting her education out on the right foot, then she may never catch up to her peers. At that moment I looked in the rear-view mirror and caught my daughter trying to fit her whole foot in her mouth. Apparently, I was screwed.

My daughter, now 2 1/2 years old, is with me most days. And since she’s a total extrovert and I would go crazy in the house all day alone with her, we’re out in public a lot: visiting friends, taking trips to the zoo and going out to eat. In our day-to-day, we hold many conversations with each other, and I am more often than not finding myself explaining things to her, even when I know it’s over her head. But it’s not what you think. I’m not trying to increase her vocabulary or teach her things beyond her years so she can excel in a field at an Ivy League.

I simply want to raise my daughter to be kind in a world that may seem otherwise.

I want my daughter to be the light in a world of violence.

We talk about using gentle hands and thank the owner at the park whose dog we got to pet. We smile at the person taking our order at the fast-food chain where she loves to play. I tell her while watching PBS how wonderful it is that families come in all shapes and sizes.

I understand the importance of kids getting ahead in school so that colleges look at them. I get that doing homework has a purpose. But when my daughter grows up, and my husband and I are sitting in the bleachers at her high school graduation, I don’t want to just be proud of her for that diploma…

Read this article in full at Mom.me, where it originally appeared. 

Risa Kerslake
Risa Kerslake
Risa is a registered nurse turned freelance writer from the Midwest and mama to one little girl. She has too many coffee mugs, loves the thought of sleeping in, and actually makes the recipes she pins on Pinterest. She is the author of the website Risa Kerslake Writes and her favorite topics are parenting, infertility and what happens when the two collide. She loves connecting with other moms on her Facebook page, and is a big believer in it taking a village to raise a child.

Jimmy Carter: A Life of Faith, Service, and Legacy

Longest-living President Jimmy Carter has lived an incredible life rooted in deep Christian faith. From his time as the 39th President of the United States to his global humanitarian efforts, Jimmy Carter's legacy is one that honors God and country.

Lauren Daigle Returns to the ‘American Idol’ Stage That Rejected Her to Sing Multi-Platinum Hit “Look Up, Child”

Lauren Daigle returned to 'American Idol' to perform her hit song "Look Up, Child" for millions of fans—some in the audience and some watching from home.

How to Instantly Clear a Stuffy Nose with This One Simple Hack

Learn how to clear a stuffy nose instantly with a simple hack, plus additional tips to relieve nasal congestion and breathe easier.