As my kids get older, I find myself navigating so many situations where I need to figure out how to guide them towards the right way to be, how to be kind, how to be a good person…in ways that a kid can understand. Here are a few things that have come up recently that felt like things we can all be doing in our grown-up lives as well…
1. Greet people when you see them ("Good morning!", "Hi!") AND make sure you look them in the eye! Whether it's the bus driver, your teacher, your friend's mom or dad, make eye contact with those you see and greet.
2. Be kind to everyone (even if they are not kind to you). I know it can be really hard to be nice to someone that isn't always very nice to you. But we can't let someone else's lack of kindness affect us. Be the one who is kind to everyone because you don't know who is struggling with something else at home or maybe having a hard time themselves. They need your kindness.
3. When you are having a conversation with someone—listen to them—and treat him or her like they are the most important person in the room. Whether it's a friend or someone you just met at a party, give everyone the same respect and attention. It doesn't matter if someone is older, younger, or you think they are not at the same level as you in some way. Treat everyone the same as you would like to be treated.
4. Write notes when you're thankful (and also when you're sorry). Give and send thank you notes (or drawings) when people make you feel special on your birthday or give you a gift. Also, if you did something not nice to a friend, write them a real life letter to apologize.
5. It's ok to get messy. Enjoy the mess because it's often in those moments that we are most creative, free, and happy! But we still need to have a plan to clean up afterwards (because your mom won't always clean up your messes). :P
Have a great, LONG weekend! We'll see you back here on Tuesday!
(Photo by The Confetti Project)
love all of these. I was taught these too as a young’n and the only one I’m horrible at is the thank you notes. I’ll make sure I tell people in person, but a thank you note does stay with you longer. I recently got a thank you note from my nephew for his graduation present and he included some of his favorite memories of me and I still tear up thinking about it. His parents done good 🙂
Thanks Colleen! And I love that!
Joy
Joy, these are wonderful lessons! Number one is one of my biggest pet peeves as an adult, and my mother drilled this into my sister and I as children. I find it so rude when someone approaches me in the morning at the office, and immediately begins asking me for something without a greeting first. I can’t believe more people weren’t brought up to always speak when you enter into a room, to say “Good Morning” at the beginning of the day, and to always greet someone before you ask them before help. Thank you so much for instilling this into your little ones. 🙂
Thanks so much Rajaune!!
Joy
Aww! I am stressing over raising my 16 month old but I must remember there is amazing mamas just like you giving other mamas inspiration that everything will be OKAY ???I will definitely teach her these!!
Aw thanks Teresita!
You’re doing a great job!!
Joy
Great reminder Joy!
Thanks Caroline!
Joy
Thanks, Joy, for sharing these great reminders! My daughters are the same age as yours, so I can relate with you on finding moments during busy work and school days to teach them how to make the good choices and be good people.
My girls are sensitive types (my 7 year loves drawing and says she wants to be an artist when she grows up), so I often tell them that it’s okay to be sad/mad/upset when things don’t work out their way. Let’s talk about it and eventually things will get better!
Thanks Jenni!
Joy