by Mindi Artherton
Please know I am not shaming or bashing my kids. I am just sharing a little insight and a struggle I have right now. My kids are such a blessing, but I do want them to grow up to be the BEST they can be!
Man! Please tell me I am not the only one that struggles with this. It seems like lately, more than ever, my kiddos have been “huffing and puffing,” stomping their feet and even throw in an occasional eye roll when I ask them to do something they don’t want to do. Or worse, when things aren’t going their way, they give me some major attitude!
Needless to say, this lovely ‘tude is not settling well with me and their dad. However, the reality is, it is partly our fault. We are constantly going out of our way to make sure all is well in their lives. They are OUR LIVES and we want them to be happy and know they are loved more than anything. BUT, more importantly, we want them to be kind and thankful and we want them to grow up to share this love and kindness that Jesus has poured out for them.
So… what do we do? How do we try to stop this little fit throwing (they are 7 and 4) before it becomes too much of a habit for our little ones?
One strategy we are using this holiday season is an advent activity calendar, beginning December 1, that is geared at helping others. We picked up an adorable countdown at Hobby Lobby (half off of course) and plan to start this week.
Here is the list of activities that we plan to use to teach this lesson (we also threw in a little fun as well!):
Write a letter to Santa
- Hold the door open for people all day
- Family game night
- Make a bag of candy to donate to the church nursery
- Do a chore for somebody else
- Silver Dollar City family date
- Have a dance party with Christmas music
- Take $5 of your own money and purchase something for Share your Christmas
- Watch a Christmas movie together
- Do a random act of kindness this week! You decide what it will be, do it, then tell us all about it on Wednesday evening.
- Make a Christmas card for Grandma, Nonnie and Gramps and Mimi and Big Papi
- Take a donation to the food pantry and ask Janet if you can help her
- Write a thank you note to your teacher
- Take a candy cane to everyone in your class
- Make a Christmas treat and share with a neighbor
- Try your hardest today at the Christmas program!
- Mail a Christmas card to a friend or family member
- Go look at Christmas lights
- Write Christmas messages on the sidewalk
- Briley and Rhett sleepover in front of the Christmas tree
- Do something kind for somebody in your family today. You decide!
- Call somebody you don’t see very often and wish them a Merry Christmas!
- Bake cookies and listen to Christmas music
- Attend the church Christmas Eve service and remember Jesus was born on Christmas day!
I know kids will be kids and we are not going to see a change overnight. Honestly, I know the best thing I can do is pray and set a great example for them, and believe me, I am guilty of having a bad attitude at times too. Hopefully this little activity will help all of us remember to be kind!