Single Moms in the pink…
Pink tablecloths, pink flowers, pink handouts, chocolate hearts, lace, and tables laden with goodies…Was it a Valentine’s Day brunch, or was it a training class for single moms? Well…it was both! (more…)
The Great February Valentine Contest
Children love point boards and fun contests – especially contests where other people have to go to a centrally located poster board or clipboard and check a document when someone else has done something. So, here’s a Valentine training idea.
As a family, declare February to be Valentine’s Month and decided to teach what it means to express love by serving each other. Every time a child helps fold the laundry without being asked or helps unload the dish washer without being asked, etc. they receive a point on the board. If they actually show enough initiative that they go ahead and do someone else’s task without being asked, they get two points. However, the key of this exercise is that the other person has to record the act of service. No one can give themselves credit for showing love.
Here are some thoughts on what a child (and parent) could do for another family member:
- Help out with a household responsibility – i.e. washing dishes, making beds, taking out the trash, etc.
- Encourage each other with a kind word or personalized prayer.
- Volunteer to give up a privilege to benefit someone else – i.e. turn to sit in the front seat, pick out a family movie, etc.
- Offer to make a meal for the whole family
- Allow a family member to use/borrow/have something that you love so much – i.e. some of your clothes, favorite game, car privileges, etc.
Make up your own list and encourage the kids to become creative. Have a brainstorming session while eating popcorn. Make it fun to talk about expressing love. The purpose is to focus on teaching kids and reminding adults to express random acts of love. Love is something you do, not something you feel!
