When your kids are little, do you ever remember thinking "Will they always be this selfish?" or "Will they EVER learn to share?" Those developmental stages eventually pass, but in that moment when they are grabbing a toy from the nicest kid in the nursery, or hoarding the crayons at preschool, it feels like a 'forever' stage.
It's hard to believe those 'toy grabbing' days are gone. Instead, all three of them are beginning to share their giving hearts with other people, and choosing to love others. What a joy to see my kids being thoughtful with the little kids at church, or thinking ahead about how to help someone with a problem. My kids are showing godly compassion and love towards others these days. Some examples are when my youngest came home from church excited about saving all her quarters and dimes for a mission project, and followed through with it.......or when she saw one of her friends standing by herself, and invited her to come and join in.......writing her sister 'get well' notes....or when my middle one told me to go lie down because I looked tired......or calls his neighbor friend to ask him to come to church (without any prompting from mom or dad!)....my oldest recently said a teacher at school was very upset, so she stayed after class to encourage her....or texts a friends to see how she's doing after a difficult day......all three kids also makes a point to tell myself and hubby "thanks for all you do, mom/dad...I appreciate you." These things certainly reward a parents heart.
Although these things I've mentioned might seem like bragging about my children, I see it as an encouragement to look for the giving heart in our children, and point it out. Encourage your kids to strive for giving, instead of taking (a foreign concept to many people!). Challenge your kids to excellence in the area of giving, even when they don't 'feel' like it. Some kids are more natural at it than others, and it may not happen often. I encourage all of us to be looking for the giving heart, and find opportunities to compliment your kids on their giving hearts. In fact, I'd like to read some comments about your children, too.
REQUEST: My oldest has a special place in her heart for children and families struggling with cancer. She would like to visit children in hospitals, but because of her age, she is not allowed. So, in place of visitation, we are setting up a trip to Ronald McDonald House to bring toys and food to the children and their families. (Ironically, we all stayed at the RM House when K. was two to have a cyst removed from her skull). Collecting toys and gifts for the RMH is a big undertaking, but something that has been on her heart for a long time. If you would like to donate a toy, or know somebody who can donate, please e-mail us at katdance77@yahoo.com and also check out the link of items to donate at: www.rmhde.org and click on "wishlist". Sorry, I'm not sure how to connect the specific link to this blog.
In the event we receive an overabundance of toys/food, we would share some of it with needy families in the area, through the help of the local church. Thanks for reading!
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