Friday, May 13, 2011

Summer Words

School is winding down-Hooray! 
Soon my two boys will be home all day, and those days will be filled with swimming, playing outside, friends, popsicles, Vacation Bible School, camping trips and just being together as a family.
More than likely it'll probably  also be filled with it's share of disagreements as well.
For the past few summers we've picked a word to define what we would like our summer to be summed up like.
With the change of schedule and all the siblings together  all day, it just seems to help when things start becoming chaotic or everyone is getting on each others nerves to be able to say " are YOU being_______?"  It usually calms things down quickly.
This year I'm going to add another element. I'll be adding a 'chart' of sorts to catch each of the children as they are  doing something (anything) that sums up our word  for the summer.
I think it'll be great to point out the GOOD things they are doing instead of just when things are going wrong. They won't know when I'm watching or what will count, but I'll be looking each day to point something out that they've done well in reguard to our word. Everyone needs to know at least ONE thing they've done well for the day. And at the end of the summer prizes will be presented.
So, at dinner the other evening, as a family we discussed and picked Kindness as our word.
Our theme verse will be Eph. 4:32 which says: And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Everyone will be able to quote it by the end of summer, if they can't already)
Let's face it the world can be a cold, cranky and downright mean place. We want kindness, toward others and our family members to be a hallmark of our home.
It won't always be easy, but it will always be worthwhile to practice Kindness.
I also love that this verse assumes we'll need to forgive each other.  We're going to get hurt, but then we're going to forgive and move on, just like God does with us because of Christ.
And, BTW, it'll be good for Momma to have to practice a little Kindness as well during the Dog Days of Summer when everyone is getting on each others nerves! Maybe I need a chart and a prize too!!
What about you? What do you do as a family to help combat the summer time personality clashes  at your house?
I would love to hear your ideas!
Blessings,
Angie

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

thank you for sharing. What a great idea, I'm going to try it out with my kids this summer.

Miss Hillbilly said...

hmmm, I need to be careful as I had a bitter thought towards *someone* in my home about kindness to others. Especially that part about EVERYONE needs to hear that they did something good each day. I say again, hmmm. And no, I am not afraid to say this publicly. All families have their struggles, you know? Some are greater in some areas than others!

Angie said...

I just find that as the summer months go on, I can sometimes tend to point out only the negative. . .But, I think every child needs to know at least one thing they did well for the day. We'll see how it works.
Last year our word was Blessing - how can we bless others? Are you being a blessing?

Miss Hillbilly said...

Well, it is a very cool idea for sure!

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