In a home full of energy, laundry piles, and snack crumbs, compassion might not always be the first word that comes to mind. But in our family, it’s become one of our core values—thanks in large part to the quiet, consistent example set by my oldest daughter, always compassionate and now a registered nurse.
Having a nurse in the family doesn’t just mean someone’s always around to check if that rash is worrisome or if it’s just time to put the thermometer away. It means our kids are growing up with a living, breathing example of care, discipline, patience, and service. And the ripple effect of her career choice has changed how we parent—and how her younger siblings see the world.
Compassion Starts at Home
Before she was Nurse Jenna, she was big sister Jenna. From helping with diaper changes to guiding her little brother through math homework, she always had a tender presence. But something shifted when she went through nursing school.
She began speaking about “therapeutic communication“ and “advocating for patient dignity.” She’d come home after 12-hour shifts with stories about patients who just needed someone to listen. And even when she was exhausted, she still had time to check in on her siblings—to ask how school was, to braid her sister’s hair, to gently encourage them to say “thank you” and really mean it.
Our kids watch her more closely than she knows.
They mimic how she offers tissues without being asked. They notice how she lowers her voice instead of raising it when someone is overwhelmed. They learn, through her, that kindness isn’t just for when it’s convenient. It’s a daily practice.
What We’re Teaching (and Learning)
Here’s how having a nurse in the family has helped shape the way we parent—and the way our younger kids are growing up:
💬 1. Empathy Can Be Taught
Empathy isn’t just a personality trait—it’s a skill. Watching their big sister check in on people’s feelings, listen with her whole body, and show up when it matters is teaching our younger kids how to do the same. We encourage this with simple phrases like:
- “How do you think they felt when that happened?”
- “What could you do to make it better?”
- “Let’s take a breath and try again.”
💡 2. We Explain the “Why” Behind Helping
We don’t just ask the kids to set the table—we remind them they’re helping the family feel ready to eat together. When they help their little sibling zip a coat, we connect it to the idea of teamwork and care. Jenna does this naturally—she’s always explaining how small actions can make a big difference.
❤️ 3. Modeling Calm in Crisis
Whether it’s a scraped knee or a meltdown before bedtime, we’ve all learned a bit of Jenna’s composure. Nurses aren’t calm because they’re never stressed—they’re calm because they’ve trained to pause, assess, and respond thoughtfully. We use this same approach with our kids:
- Pause before reacting
- Ask what’s needed
- Offer comfort before correction
🏥 4. Every Job Is a Service Role
We’ve made a point to highlight how every role—at home or in the community—is about service. Whether it’s cleaning up toys or visiting an elderly neighbor, we try to show that every contribution matters. Jenna’s job has become the anchor to this lesson: she serves people in their most vulnerable moments, and her younger siblings are beginning to understand the sacredness of that.
🌱 5. Raising Helpers, Not Just Rule-Followers
Instead of focusing only on obedience or manners, we talk about being helpers. Being a helper means noticing when someone’s struggling, offering without being asked, and doing what’s right even when it’s hard. It’s the foundation of both nursing—and kindness.
and here’s some chore ideas to start building some responsibility
Final Thoughts: The Heartbeat of Our Family
Having a nurse in the family has changed us in ways we never expected. It’s made us more aware of our words, more attuned to others’ needs, and more committed to raising children who don’t just “behave,” but belong—to a family and a world that needs more love.
So to all the parents out there wondering how to nurture compassion in a chaotic, busy household: let your kids see you care. Let them witness your calm, your tenderness, your patience. And if you’re lucky enough to have a nurse (or caregiver) in your family, lean into their wisdom. Their way of moving through the world just might teach you—and your little ones—what real love looks like.