Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around – Leo F. Buscaglia
Inspired by Code Name: Mama’s challenge, I have embarked upon a March of Kindness. I have made it my goal to perform at least one random act of kindness each day in March. My actions will hopefully be as spontaneous as possible since I believe that these sorts of acts are always the most genuine. (I’m not suggesting that planned acts of kindness are disingenuous, I just think that there is a deeper level of raw emotion behind a random, spur of the moment decision to do something kind for yourself or others). However, I have already come to discover that in the business of day to day living, it can be tough to think of different ways in which to perform an “out of the norm” act of kindness.
Code Name: Mama has a list of 155 Random Acts of Kindness to inspire you and I will admit that I have yet to read through all of these. If you are so inclined, I suggest that you take a look at her list as it covers acts of kindness towards children, strangers, yourself, friends, and your spouse/significant other. In addition, I thought that I would provide you with a few of my own suggestions, specifically related to acts of kindness towards your children.
· Clear an entire day to spend together as a family doing child-centric activities. No chores, no television, no computer, no “routine” activities. Make this a day about celebrating your children!
· Let your child “help” you do a certain task or chore that you normally would not let them participate in.
· Do an art project with your child. Get messy yourself.
· Laugh and smile at your child for no reason other than to make him or her feel good.
· Make your child’s favorite foods all day long.
· Do an “extra” for your child. This could be reading an extra story, having a few extra minutes outside, singing an extra lullaby…the extras are endless!
· Give lots of extra cuddles.
· Learn and then act out a short finger play for your child.
· Fill up a drawer or a box with fun little household items and let your child throw everything about as he or she explores this new treasure trove.
· Go for a walk at your child’s pace.
· Let your child play with that toy that really annoys you as much as he or she wants.
· Really take the time to listen to what your child is saying to you (even if it is baby babble!)
· Refrain from having negative reactions to your child’s undesirable behavior.
· When you become irritated with your child, pause for a moment, collect yourself, and instead of showing that irritation to your child, grab them and give them a huge hug and tell them that your love them!
· Take a nap or simply rest with your child.
· Do an activity withy your child that he or she has been asking to do for a long time.
· Make your child something. It can be anything but make it age appropriate. Heartfelt gifts made with your own hands are always the most treasured.
· Play a game with your child.
· Make up a song with your child and then have a concert.
· Stop whatever you are doing and be with your child for no specific reason other than just connecting with them.
· Don’t tell your child that you are busy and that you will be with him or her when you are done. Be with them at that precise moment that they need/want you.
· Be a horse and give your child rides on your back.
· Engage your child in a game of chase or tag.
· Make a promise and keep it!
· Get outside with your child more than you normally would.
I hope that these suggestions inspire you to participate in the March of Kindness. Today, I rolled down a wet, grassy hill with Tiny. I have NEVER seen her more thrilled or heard her laugh so hard. This is definitely something that I would not normally do but the happiness this small (yet slightly uncomfortable) action produced was well worth it!
Yours in Kindness,
Jennifer
Man, I want somebody to do some of these with ME! Thanks for the inspiration mama
thank you for this list! I’ve found it difficult to consider anything for my child to be “extra” even though I know it can be.
I love the image of you rolling down the hill. That has to be pure joy… there’s no way to do it halfway.
I’m really glad I found your blog, I can relate to so much of your wonderful energy.
Thank you for this list of ideas! It’s a great list for MOK. I just closed my eyes and randomly pointed to five things from your list that I will make a point to do with my kids this month.
Here’s what’s on our agenda:
Fill up a drawer or a box with fun little household items and let your child throw everything about as he or she explores this new treasure trove.
Go for a walk at your child’s pace.
Take a nap or simply rest with your child. (double thanks for this one!)
Make up a song with your child and then have a concert.
Get outside with your child more than you normally would.
We do these most of the time normally, but the point of how I’m doing MOK is to do it with intention on top of the usual raw emotion-inspired RAOK
I look forward to reading your experiences this month
So many of these are absolutely essential.
I’m so pleased that even as a first time momma, with just my “grand” parenting ideas, that I have been doing quite a lot of these things. Maybe I AM a good momma.
This one- Really take the time to listen to what your child is saying to you (even if it is baby babble!) has been so important to me from day one. I remember when I just graduated from High School I was a live in nanny, for the Summer, with a family from my church. Their children were older, 7-12, but I distinctly remember the mom and the youngest daughter opening their mouths and putting them close together and singing the bit from The Little Mermaid, just the ah ah ahh’s, (you know what I’m talking about! The part Ursula stole.) Anyway, it had something to do with how it sounded in their heads or something.
Well, when Peanut was an infant I would do this, and I’m doing it with Pistachio too, except I actually talk(ed) to them. Peanut started talking quite young and she is So articulate and has always been very pronounced in her speech. And Pistachio, well if she’s having a cry session that she just won’t calm down from. I’ll put my mouth up to hers and ask her to “tell me what’s wrong” and she responds. I can see it in her eyes and hear it in her inflections that she’s literally trying to tell me, and it always calms her down immediately. (I’m not crazy.)
Even now, with my 3 year old, I have always made it a point that my hubby and I acknowledge her when she speaks. I HATE seeing parents go off on their kids that have been trying to get their attention for minutes while the parent COMPLETELY ignores them. That is soooo frustrating for me, as I can imagine how the child feels, plus, if you just respond, even if it’s to ask them to wait, it may not work every time, I’m not foolish or naive, I do have a 3 year old, remember?
I honestly believe that has been a huge parenting win for my family.
Also, I love letting my girls get messy, as long as they are having fun, or eating the food, the mess can always be cleaned up later. Sometimes we even paint each other with the water colours. Peanut loves this.
Ugh!! Negative reactions! Mine is a frustrated sigh. I hate that it comes out without my knowledge sometimes. There have been several conversations between me and my oldest about how it’s nothing she’s done. Etc. MommyFail. I hate those sighs. I shall try to remember this-When you become irritated with your child, pause for a moment, collect yourself, and instead of showing that irritation to your child, grab them and give them a huge hug and tell them that your love them!
Don’t tell your child that you are busy and that you will be with him or her when you are done. Be with them at that precise moment that they need/want you. -Oooooh, ouch. I will try, but some days dishes just need doing.