In our house, the news is hardly on. Sporadically we will turn it on first thing in the morning and check the impending weather. Within seconds I am finding myself dropping the lunch I am packing and running into the living room to change the channel before my boys catch wind of a story that is being covered.
99% of what is on the news these days is just plain terrifying. Even for me, as adult who is well aware of the world we live in today. I can hardly make it ten minutes of tuning in before I want to shut it off. Afterwards I attempt to magically erase everything I just heard. Trust me, I do not want to shelter my kids. They know of “things” as they happen, to a certain degree. Social media makes it awfully difficult to dodge the topics these days, so if questions are asked from our kids – we answer, just enough, to help them understand as a child should understand it.
With Valentines day right around the corner, I came up with this idea of a fun challenge for my kids to take part in. Starting February 1, we will have a 14 day challenge revolving around random acts of kindness and love to do every single day. LOVE! It is exactly what we need more of.
Some are extremely simple, and others may push them out of their comfort zone. I think it is extremely important for our children to understand the power of being thoughtful and kind.
I want nothing more than for my children to grow up to be happy, kind and generous adults. I cannot wait to start this challenge and I hope you will join me!
Here is how I put it all together!
Currently, in Target’s dollar spot you can find this darling wooden heart banner that has little clothes pins on the back. I took 14 paper circles and wrote the challenge on the back, numbering the front. If you cannot find a banner to hang, do not fret, write your challenges on paper and put them into a bowl for your little ones to pull out. Each day, in order, my boys will read their random act of kindness and have to complete it by bedtime.
Here are a few of the challenges the boys will do…
My kids are already very thoughtful and kind. I think that this challenge will help them think outside the box, realizing that there are so many ways to make someone else’s day better. I hope it inspires them to continue these random acts of kindness beyond Valentines day and for the rest of their lives.
Some of the challenges are …
Making dinner and bringing it to someone special to them. Donating food/or/toys to the animal shelter and visiting the animals. Bringing doughnuts to the fire station and police station. Inviting a friend over for a fun sleepover. These are just a few of the 14 things we will be taking part in.
I am so ready to get this ball rolling; in the meantime, will you join me? You can come up with whatever fits your family best! Comment and tell me about what you are doing, I will be sure to photograph our entire journey through this challenge and share it with you all!
I love this quote!
(source of quote)