We teach kids “moral of the stories,” ask them to donate their old toys to kids in need, and try to explain why they can’t hit when they’re upset. All of that is necessary when it comes to raising compassionate kids. But there’s one simple way to make sure your kid ends up kind that doesn’t involve this sort of instruction on empathy: Just hang out with them. Seriously. Having a strong connection with their parents is enough to make kids more likely to be, well, good. And simple steps improve connectedness, such as setting your phone down for 10 minutes while allowing your child to direct play, apologizing for mistakes, and taking brief moments for silliness throughout the day. So give yourself a pat on the back: Chances are, you’re doing all this already.