Raising Compassionate Kids
Conversations with our children shape the kind of people they will become. Talking about foster care is one of those moments where honesty, compassion, and courage come together. Your kids don’t need all the answers—but they do need your guidance to understand that every child deserves love and safety.
Below are age-appropriate ways to begin these conversations, along with some reminders for us as parents:
Raising Compassionate Kids
Children notice more than we realize. They see differences, overhear adult conversations, and absorb cues from their environment. When we take time to talk about foster care, we give them language for what they may see or experience. Most importantly, we’re teaching empathy—one of the most valuable gifts we can pass along.
For Toddlers
At this age, simple is best. Toddlers don’t need the details, but they do understand love and care.
You might say:
“Some kids don’t live with their families right now. Other people are helping take care of them.”
This framing is gentle, age-appropriate, and focused on safety. It reassures toddlers that all children deserve care, while planting early seeds of compassion.
For Elementary-Age Kids
School-aged kids are ready for a little more context. They can understand the idea of safety and community support.
Try explaining:
“Foster care helps kids stay safe when their home isn’t safe yet. We can care for them and their families.”
This balances honesty with hope. It also reminds children that foster care isn’t just about the child—it’s about supporting entire families as they work toward healing.
For Teens
Teenagers are ready to grapple with complexity. They know the world isn’t perfect, and they respect it when adults acknowledge that.
You might share:
“Foster care is complicated. Families are hurting, and the system isn’t perfect. The goal isn’t to have all the answers—it’s to raise kids who care. Let’s talk about what justice and healing look like.”
With teens, the key is dialogue. Ask what they think. Encourage questions. Validate their feelings, even if they struggle with the idea that not every child gets the stability they deserve.
The Takeaway
No matter their age, children need more than facts—they need space to process, ask questions, and build empathy. Talking about foster care may feel brave, but it opens the door to raising kids who see others with compassion and act with kindness.
After all, our goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection.
Twenty-five years ago, Children’s Hope began with a question—and a leap of faith. Today, Children’s Hope supports over 180 foster homes, serving more than 300 children and youth.
Since 2000, Children’s Hope has provided safe, compassionate transportation for foster youth—completing over 6,000 trips a year with heart and purpose.
A heartwarming event at Sequoia Grove brought generations together to donate teddy bears and support foster children through Children’s Hope.
Co-founder Heather Payne shares what she’s witnessed in 25 years of foster care—and how people like you can bring hope, healing, and support to foster youth.
