Gentleness isn't important, it's crucial. In Australia, there's an epidemic of domestic violence.

Domestic violence has been an issue for many years, yet it's only being highlighted now in the media.

Some of the public seem surprised; however, it's not much of a surprise to women—half the population!

Gentleness is an attitude

Gentleness is a character quality, a state of being. We raise children to be gentle with their pets and siblings when they are born.

It's high time we embraced gentleness as a guiding principle in all aspects of our lives.

Whether it's teaching our children to treat their pets with care or being mindful of our impact on the environment, a shift towards gentleness can pave the way for a more compassionate and sustainable future.

Children are cruel in the sense that they tell the truth, which can be brutal. Gentleness is being honest while being tactful.

Influence means impact

Parents, childcare educators, and teachers greatly influence the children they interact with daily.

Children are gentle souls who are often an example of the environment they are most familiar with.

Unfortunately, not every child has a positive role model in their life. However, you may be that person who can 'make up' for others and be the one person they look up to. Be that person for them.

Every child, every person, needs one positive influence to help them become the best version of themselves.

Recently, a teacher shared her wisdom by teaching her class her 30-second rule about kindness. Kindness incorporates gentleness.

Please share this YouTube video with your child and discuss whether they think she's right or wrong.

Ask them if they have seen or done anything the teacher talks about, and now that they've seen the video, what would they do differently next time?

Words hurt. They have the power to encourage or discourage, to lift people or to knock them down.

Gentleness stems from an intention to avoid causing harm to anyone or anything.

Inner strength

Gentleness is a strength. It is applying self-discipline when emotions are feeling a little out of control by not saying or doing something hurtful.

Gentleness does not mean not having boundaries or being assertive when required. It means asserting your boundaries to others by being firm but kind.

Without gentleness, a child or person struggles to form positive relationships.

Disagreements are handled using aggressive or abrasive methods, leading to a non-harmonious household. Emotional development has yet to be fully formed, and signs of anxiety and stress may be visible.

What's vital in teaching your child gentleness is what you role model to them.

Despite what you say to your child, if they see you allow someone to mistreat you in a disrespectful manner, then they learn that's what an adult relationship looks like.

Consequently, what you are role-modelling in a relationship with a partner or how you treat yourself is what your child learns to expect for themselves in the future.

Is what you are role-modelling what you want for your child?