Are you kind?

Apparently tomorrow, November 13th is World Kindness Day.  I had no idea this day existed!  There is even a kindness movement!  On the one hand I thought, Really!  We have to have a designated day to be kind?   Of course after going through the most recent election, reading things on FaceBook, etc., we probably need more than a day!

Of course, I started thinking about kindness.  I don't think children automatically 'get' kindness.  I think they are sweet and nice but I am not sure they understand the concept of kindness.  Kindness is defined as doing something for someone without the expectation of something in return.

As you know I believe in the power of modeling.  I think it applies here too.  How do you model kindness in your family?  I think it's pretty easy if you attend a church.  Typically there are opportunities to do things for others without expecting something in return.  If you don't attend one how does one model that?

Here are a few suggestions that even small children can do.  Feel free to add your own or adapt these.

• Let your child help you gather outgrown clothes or toys and take them to Goodwill or other place
• Help your child write a thank you note to someone who did something nice for them.
• Help your child make cookies for a friend or neighbor...just because
• Smile at someone you meet on the street or the checkout person
• Say hello to someone at school who isn't your friend.
• Tell someone you see to have a nice day
• Buy a toy for a charity, let you child pick the toy and go with you to donate.  Ex. Salvation Army Angel Tree
• Make cards for people in a nursing home and take them
• Clean up for mom or your sister.
• Read a book to someone

We all need a little more kindness in our lives.  If we want our children to be kind, we need to teach them that it's important to be kind, do things for others.

I think it would be fun to be kind longer than just tomorrow.  How long can we go?