Helping Our Children Develop Kindness

Kindness is not something that children seem to be born with. Some are naturally kinder than others, but most find it a struggle when dealing with siblings or classmates. It's a character trait that I myself have had to work on over the years and it's something that I find myself constantly working on with my children. 

One way I chose to help them was by developing a nature based character unit that focused on kindness. Our Scripture focus was Proverbs 16:24 which says, "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones”  and our nature focus was on bees. 

I loved incorporating crafts, recipes, science and suggested readings to go along with our devotional. I felt that doing this kept bringing us back to the topic and would help reiterate the character trait we were trying to develop. 

In our home, when a child is struggling to be sweet with what comes out of their mouth, they’re not allowed to put anything sweet into their mouth for the rest of the day. Each time there’s an opportunity that day for them to have a treat, they will not be able to eat it. Hopefully this will remind them how important it is that we choose kind words when we are talking to others. I try to remind our children (and myself) that it’s not only important what we say but how we say it. I give my children the example of canoeing. If someone goes for a canoe ride, they need to alternate paddling on both sides of the canoe. Otherwise they won’t go much of anywhere except in a big circle! They must paddle on both sides in order to have a successful canoe trip. Our words are much the same way. We can say the right words but speak them in the wrong way. With God’s help we want to say the right words in the right way and when we do, our relationship with others will be much better.

How do you help develop kindness in your children?





Are you looking to improve your health in 2019?  Then I'd love to have you join me in my private Facebook group called Bridging the Gap. Also, be sure to check out my "Bee Kind" and "Diligence" nature based character development units and my ebooks as well: A Wife's Guide to Studying Proverbs, Topical Devotions for Pregnancy and Early Potty Teaching. Or, if you're looking for a way to get 30 raw fruits and vegetables in your diet every day, contact me here. 

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How to Study Your Bible

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I'm joining up with some other ladies in my Domestically Challenged, Divinely Equipped tribe to write a series on spring cleaning. Every time I thought about what I would write about, it seemed that the Lord kept bringing me back to spring cleaning my heart so to speak. God's Word has a way of pointing out the changes that need to take place in my heart and helps me tidy up my character. So while this isn't your typical spring cleaning post, I do hope you find it to be helpful.

For awhile I had been struggling with what to read in God's Word and how to read it. Seems funny to admit because I've been a Christian for quite a few years and yet here I found myself wondering how to read God's Word. But then my heart was stirred to study the Bible in a more simple format which, ironically, has turned out to be very powerful in my life. As I was studying, I began thinking that surely I'm not the only one who struggles with knowing what to read for my "daily devotions". From that thought came the burden to share what I am doing with others in hopes that they may gain a firm foundation in the study of Scriptures and then be able to share it with others.

This approach has been a tremendous blessing not only in my life, but also in the lives of my family. God's Word is living and powerful and time and time again, a conversation has come up in our home where I was able to share something I had been learning in God's Word. It has truly helped equip me as wife and mother.

I'm currently working through the following format and I hope that you find it helpful, too. It might seem so simple that it's silly or ineffective, but I think that most of the time we overcomplicate things. Simple can not only be effective, but also doable. If we have a complex Bible study system it might seem overwhelming to do or we talk ourselves out of doing it because it takes too much time. Additionally, with this approach, my only focus is simply the Word of God. That's not to say that devotionals written by other people are wrong (I've actually written a couple of ebook style devotionals and my daughter is working on getting hers published by this summer) or ineffective but there is something simple and pure about putting God's words straight into my heart.

With this approach, I study until I'm full so to speak. I started in the book of Matthew, the first book in the New Testament. It is also known as one of the four Gospels. I'm taking a systematic approach and read one verse at a time and then jot down what that verse is saying. Sometimes I write it word for word in my notebook as I did with Matthew 7:2 "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you." Other times I write it down in a way that applies to me. (For example, I wrote "Hypocrite! Deal with my own sin first before I think I can address the sin in other people's lives" after I read Matthew 7:5 which says, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye." It just depends on the verse and how it speaks to my heart.

Taking this slow, systematic approach has been very beneficial because I am writing out God's Word and then taking the time to think about how it applies to my life. Even on the days that I don't feel like I need to read God's Word when I sit down to read it, I quickly find out how much I do. I hope to work through the entire New Testament this way. It might take me 20 years but it will be well worth it! ;)

If you're struggling to find a way to read and study God's Word maybe give this method a try. Let me know if you do and how it goes for you. ❤

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Teachable Moments-character training tools

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"I Saw Jesus in You Today" Plate from Teachable Moments

Our family has been using the I Saw Jesus in You Today plate from Teachable Moments for several months now and it is such a great teaching tool in our family. It’s a practical and loving way to show a family member that we appreciate the Christ-like behavior that they demonstrated. I love that it helps reinforce godly behavior when we see it and it’s fun when our kids surprise us and honor us with the plate, too!

This plate came about as an idea from a wonderful godly grandmother who wanted a practical way to encourage her grandchildren when their character reflected Christ. Her story of how this plate came to be is such a blessing to read.

Children

The Teachable Moments Plate is perfect for reinforcing godly character traits such as kindness, responsibility, patience, consideration for others, love, self-control, joyfulness and diligence. I love the smile on our children's faces when they come to dinner and see the plate at their spot. Our children are still growing and maturing in Christlikeness. It is such a blessing though when they initiate kindness or helpfulness without being prompted and then for us to be able to let them know in this special way how much we appreciated seeing that character trait.

Young Couples

Not only is this plate helpful for those of us raising children, but it would also make a wonderful wedding present for a young couple because it helps establish a godly tradition early in marriage. Those first few years of marriage are an adjustment for most couples but seeing this plate in the cupboard on a daily basis is a great reminder to look for the good and not the bad in a spouse. It’s easy for us to get irritated with a spouse and to focus on the negative but when we choose to focus on the positive and encourage the godly habits that we are seeing, it gives us an opportunity to build them up rather than tear them down. Romans 14:19 reminds us to pursue peace and build each other up. Honoring a spouse with this special plate is a great way to do so.  

Grandparents

I think this plate is also a great tool for older couples to use with each other and with their grandchildren. What a blessing it would be to have a spouse honor the other one in this small way at a meal. Or, when your grandchildren come over it’s a great opportunity to help disciple them and teach them what Jesus wants to see in our lives. Ephesians 5:1 reminds us that our lives need to reflect the example that Jesus set for us. When we are following His example it will be reflected in our actions, words and spirit. This plate is a great tool to encourage a spouse or grandchild when we see them living out these character qualities. When we choose to honor someone with this plate we are helping fulfill the command in I Thessalonians 5:11 which tells us to encourage and build each other up.                                                                

      

It is such a great feeling when our family sits down for a meal and someone is surprised to find the plate at their spot. They may not even realize what they did that was pleasing to God but it’s fun to encourage them by sharing what we noticed. In a world where most people think only of themselves, this is a great tool to encourage a loved one when they imitate Christ.

Our family enjoys surprising each other with this plate when we notice something in particular that stands out about another family member. What a blessing it would be if every Christian home had one.


What Others Are Saying

"This Teachable Moments plate is such an incredible tool to foster right heart attitudes in your children's lives. It is a practical, fun way for them to be 'rewarded' when they choose to 'be like Jesus' in the choices they make everyday. It also encourages a tight family bond when your child realizes that you are paying attention to how they interact with you (the parent) and with others (siblings, friends, etc.). We love finding the good in our children's life!" --Leesa K.

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Teachable Moments-character training tools

Thanks so much for visiting Purposeful Homemaking. Stay connected so you don't miss a thing:

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  My eBooks: A Wife's Guide to Studying Proverbs, Topical Devotions for Pregnancy and Early Potty Teaching

This post may involve product that was received in exchange for a review or contain affiliate links for which I will earn compensation should you choose to make a purchase. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Thank you for your support of Purposeful Homemaking.