What?
Kindness Contest:
The children are given tickets (purchased at dollar tree) for:
1.) Doing acts of kindness (i.e. putting someone else's things in its proper place, sharing, giving a sincere compliment, volunteering to help with something, or spending time reading to or playing with a sibling when they would rather be doing something else.)
2.) Going above and beyond what is expected of them. I give them tickets for every book they write down in their reading journal. I also give tickets for "perfect" work. If they do both sides of a math worksheet with no mistakes, they get a ticket. Other acts of going beyond are volunteering to pick up trash that has blown into our yard, or spending time playing with or grooming the pets without being asked.
3.) The children loose tickets for 1 reason only...tattling! Every parent of multiple children knows that tattling is an extremely annoying issue. It is important to REPORT important things for safety reasons or bad character issues (lying/stealing). However, it is not acceptable for one person to tattle on their sibling/cousin for the purpose of getting them in trouble or because one has not been a good communicator/problem solver. I do not like having to police every one of the kids' actions. When they come to me with issues, I stop them and ask them if 1.) whatever they are going to tell me is worth loosing a ticket? 2.) If they have already tried to work it out with the person in question. If the answer is yes in both accounts, then I am all ears. If the answer is No to either question...they have to tell me what the problem is, but I charge them a ticket for my time.
Why?: This contest has completely changed the atmosphere in our home. The kids are practicing kindness daily. They are also practicing and exercising their communication and problem solving skills. Invaluable.
One other thing I would like to note is that an Act of Kindness is included as part of their morning routine. What does that mean? It means that before they are allowed to eat breakfast, they must first show kindness to someone. One day a child said to me, "I'm ready for breakfast!" I asked, "Have you done all your morning things? (pause) What act of kindness did you do?" They told me and then asked me, "What act of kindness did you do today, Mama?( in an innocent and honestly curious voice)" This was the day when I started making sure that I was practicing my acts of kindness daily as well. For me, this looks more like over-achieving in my daily areas of responsibility, or attitude checks in my execution of my tasks. Also, I make it a point to do little things for my husband that I know he appreciates, but doesn't expect me to do. Some days this is easier than others; but on the harder to be kind days...this is especially good for me. 😉
Next Topic: Kindness Rewarded - What Payday looks like for the kids.
Until Next time,
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