Raising kids who care

I have read a couple recent articles about the idea of raising kids who care. The focus of the articles vary between caring for the environment, other people, animals, the world in general, etc. It has gotten me to thinking. As parents aren't we responsible for making a choice about what we want our kids to care about? Shouldn't this be something we actually sit down and think about? It seems like much of the time we make a half-hearted effort to raise caring kids but I feel like it need to be a priority to choose what your priorities are and then make sure we instill there values in our kids.

In our house we have strong views about a few things. God. Family. Taking care of our neighbor. Providing for ourselves in the best and more efficient way possible. Taking care of the world around us. We believe that it is best to start in our own "back yard" and then hopefully they will take that out into the world. This being said it isn't always easy. Kids are egocentric creatures. They view themselves as the center of the universe and very little will change that. It's the way their little brains are wired. So it seems to me that the best way for them to learn is to watch. Brian and I are (for the moment) one of the strongest influences. So if we (the people who care for our egocentric little creatures) take care of our neighbor and neighborhood won't that rub off? I sure hope so.

My point is that I think raising kids who care is something we have to do with purpose. It isn't going to happen accidentally or by chance. We have to lead by example every single day. At least that is what I hope to do.