Well, my plan FAILED again! ?
Oh, no… what happened? You know what they say about the best laid plans, right?
Yes…ugh. I am SO frustrated with my kids right now. I wanted to start off the holiday season with giving, instead of making a huge list of everything they want for Christmas (when they need nothing. I mean, we need no more stuff in this house!).
I hear you on all points! How do we focus on giving? How do we focus on gratitude instead of greediness? And seriously… the stuff? It’s a little out of control!
Right?! So my plan was to show them an Operation Christmas Child video, talk to them about children in other places who don’t have what they have, and then give them each a box to fill. So we did that, we went to the store together, and what do they do? Ask me for stuff — “Mom, can I have this? Mom, I have $10 at home, will you buy this for me? I’ll pay you back!” ?
I wish you could hear me laughing/crying right now… It’s not really funny, of course, but it’s comical because it’s normal. Sad and typical of our kids who have more than they know!
Yeah, I think I said “THIS IS NOT FOR YOU!” about 15 times. #notaspecialmoment
But it’s such a good goal you had here! And it seems the purpose was lost on them, but maybe it wasn’t?
Maybe… They just didn’t seem like their hearts were in it. Even when we got home and were packing the boxes, I felt like they were doing it to please me. Was it worth anything? It makes me sad because I don’t want them to be entitled kids.
Me either! But even if they packed those boxes to please you, they still did it. They still will be able to track that box all the way to wherever it goes (if you paid the extra $9, that is!?)
We totally did pay the extra $9, and my hope was still that if they could see where it went, it would become a little more real.
You have to start somewhere!
(Sigh.) I guess you are right. As a mom you just hope and pray that something sinks in, even though you can’t tell sometimes. At least not yet. I guess I can’t expect this one big attempt at giving to instantly give them generous, thankful hearts.
Yes. We have a tough job here. In so many ways we want our kids to be normal, and sometimes I feel like it’s my fault that my boys are so entitled. After all, I have helped fill our house with the stuff.
Me too… And on the other hand, we’re not “normal” — or shouldn’t be. We have a great gift that changes us: Jesus. And because of that, He asks us to live a little differently from the “norm.”
So true. I’m so glad that we can work together as moms to figure out how to do this. How do we raise thankful kids? Grateful kids? Kids who want what they want because they’re kids, but who also pack boxes for kids who want for what we take for granted? Kids who know what the greatest gift is and are ready at all times to give that away. #thetruthaboutgrowingup
I think we can just pray to be more aware of opportunities on a daily basis…to be on the lookout for those times when we can be generous in small ways. Lots of small things over time could add up to a lot. And hey… by the way, I think we’re doing at least some of that already. So maybe I can chill out a little. ?
Um, yes! You and your kids did a wonderful thing for others. You did it with a heart that pleases God. And you know how much you have to be thankful even if they don’t… yet! Have a great Thanksgiving, dear friend!
Soaking in the Truth
Scripture to encourage you:
- “Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart…” 1 Chronicles 29:9
- “Give, and it will be given to you.” Luke 6:38
- “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
Music to inspire you:
- “Give Thanks” originally by Don Moen, performed here by Unhindered
Readings and Resources to come alongside of you:
- “The Generous Child: How to Teach Generosity, Ages 3 to 4” by The Baby Center
- “Top 5 Ways to Raise a Generous Child at Any Age” by World Vision
- (An interesting read) “How to Raise Kinder, Less Entitled Kids (According to Science)” by the Washington Post
Related Posts on Texting the Truth:
Living Out the Truth
Ideas to try:
- Look for opportunities to show generosity, and take your kids with you when you can! Make dinner for a neighbor who just had surgery, and ask your child to help prepare or deliver it. Offer to give a friend a ride home in front of your child. Take extra clothing or canned goods to a local food pantry with your child. Make it a regular occurrence (not just during the holidays).
- Use the word “generous” when you talk about the above things, so they get used to hearing it and thinking about it.
- Share 1 thing that you are thankful for at dinner or bedtime. This helps to get the heart in the right place. Thankfulness prepares the heart to give.
- Offer to share with little ones, and praise them when they share with you or siblings.
{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more.
In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}