This week's P2 trait is Other People Mindset: Supporting Others. We hope you'll take a few minutes sometime this week and use the links at the bottom of this message to talk to your child about this character trait.
What it is.
Supporting other people when they struggle is a critical part of being human. There is a Chinese saying that sums this up: "If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody."
There are different approaches to helping people who are struggling. These can include: listening while they describe an event and their feelings about it, taking action to help people in need, or simply just being there and sitting together in silence. Talking through a problem is a common way to help someone who is going through a tough time. When thinking about how to help them through conversation, it can be useful to (a) validate, rather than dismiss, their feelings, (b) help them reappraise the
situation, and (c) carefully point out logic/thinking errors that may block them from healing.
Why it matters.
On an individual level, the research is clear that when we help others we also help ourselves. Dr. Roy Baumeister found that individuals who are “givers” and help other
people lead more meaningful lives — with meaning defined as “a cognitive and emotional assessment of whether one’s life has purpose and value.” This goes beyond being happy in the moment and connects your past, present, and future.
On a group level, it’s critically important that we help each other out. Everyone faces tough days needs support. And, this support leads to a chain of pro-social behavior that makes us feel good about ourselves and our group.
Practice at home.
To practice this character trait at home, please visit P2 for Families, where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote a three questions. Click the link below appropriate for your child's grade level.