As a parent or those in a parenting role, you play a paramount role in helping your child develop empathy. Empathy is the way that people relate to one another effectively. It’s the ability to perceive what others are feeling, comprehend that information, and respond in a compassionate manner. There are intentional ways to grow a healthy parent-child relationship while expanding your child’s capacity for empathy from the time they are born through their teen years. Empathy is critical for your child to experience happy healthy relationships. It allows for emotional connection to others starting early with family and friends and extending as they develop successful school, social, work, and even romantic relationships.