Now that the holiday season has come and gone, my children seem to be stuck in the mindset that they are entitled to treats and presents for simply existing and/or doing what they are told. “I napped; I get a treat!”, “It’s ___’s birthday; I get a present!”. When I get home from the store, it’s “What did you buy for me?” I knew that something had to change around here. It was time to figure out how to change this selfish mindset.
I want them to never forget their pleases and thank yous, hold open doors for strangers, and share smiles with everyone in their path. I pray that they will lead their lives positively and spread joy throughout their world. If that is the only thing that I accomplish as their mother, I will consider my job well done.
The only why to teach all of these important skills is to lead by example and provide your children with opportunities to participate in character-building activities (such as acts of kindness and community service). So this month, we will be spending the day completing “A Day of Kindness”. This easy checklist requires no prep time and won’t cost you any money; it’s just nine simple acts of kindness that you can complete as a family! We will take this as an opportunity to spread love and joy to our families, friends, and members of our community. I encourage you to print out your own checklist and join us!
Let us know how it goes!
Want to go a step further?
- Visit Doing Good Together!
- This website is PACKED with incredible ideas that will help families to “do good” together. You can find information and tips, dozens of printables, family volunteer opportunities, children’s book ideas, and so much more.
- Volunteer as a family through Wee Volunteer
- Wee volunteer is a local Dallas area organization that arranges volunteer opportunities that are age appropriate for everyone in your family, even young children.
- Create a drawing for Color-a-smile
- Color-a-smile sends colorful drawing to senior citizens, troops overseas, and anyone else that needs a smile with the help of young volunteer artists. Go to their website to print one of their coloring pages, then just color and mail them to Color-a-smile at:
Color-A-Smile
P.O. Box 1516
Morristown, NJ
07962-1516
- Color-a-smile sends colorful drawing to senior citizens, troops overseas, and anyone else that needs a smile with the help of young volunteer artists. Go to their website to print one of their coloring pages, then just color and mail them to Color-a-smile at:
What other ways does your family like to spread kindness?
