We do indeed …we rise by lifting others
How to teach children we rise by lifting others
I learned long ago that in lifting others up, supporting them, cheering them on and helping them we also rise. This is a lesson I want my children to know and to understand deep in their hearts, In giving of themselves they are not draining themselves or losing something, in fact it is the opposite, in giving you also receive and we all rise.
To teach my children this I encourage their giving. Children often learn best by experience.
Just before Christmas my son decided he wanted to gift food to the support centre next to his cubs unit. We called them up and asked what food they would like and left for the supermarket armed with a big list. My son worked out the costings (we had a budget) and began his shop.
An older lady giggled when she saw me piling pot noodles in my trolley. I think she thought I was a rather odd mother (we did have a lot). ‘Like pot noodles do you?’ she asked me. I thought she looked a little disapproving. I told her what we were doing and she nodded. As we went down the next aisle we heard this little voice shouting out ‘excuse me dear,’…she has followed us and pressed £2 into my sons hands to ‘get them something from me’. It really warmed my heart, this tiny old lady and my normally mischievous son united in helping.
Lovely.
He normally moans about shopping but not that day. We piled up the car and came home then packed food boxes and went delivering. The support unit were so grateful it was humbling. He was a tad overwhelmed but I swear my son was as happy that day as he was on Christmas day.
His food parcels were donated to The Friary drop in in Nottingham who offer free advice, health and support services to vulnerable people who are often without food or shelter. A wonderful charity indeed.
We rise by lifting others.
My daughter chose to sell stories she had specially written and cakes and biscuits she had decorated for her giving project. She wanted to raise £30 for Sightsavers, which is the price of a sight saving operation
Sightsavers are amazing and need a lot of funding to achieve their aim of curing all preventable blindness.
My little girl wanted to do her bit. She got up at 6am on the day of the ‘story and cake sale’ and set it all up before she pottered off to school. I hosted her little event and popped it on Facebook too and she raised £90 in total through her sales. The government were matching Sightsavers funding at the time so essentially her hard work and creativity resulted in 6 sight restoring operations. When I fetched her from school that day her smile of joy lit up the playground and it made me cry to see she was so happy to have helped.#
We rise by lifting others#
So they are learning this lesson, my lovely children, and it is serving as a reminder to me as I often forget and get a bit lost in my own busy-ness and moaning.
I even made a little plate this week so we see the words often.
Children do what we do not what we say, so we need to show them how we give too,share it with them and celebrate it.
Let’s all rise.
Create Your own Kindness
I have written a book called Create Your Own Kindness all about teaching kindness to kids through fun activities. It teaches them to be kind to themselves, other people and in fact to the whole world. Available to pre-order form Amazon
truly beautiful. I’m going to share it now!
So true. We need to raise our children in this spirit – or what is the future going to look like?
Beautiful Becky.You are such a beautiful and kind person, such an amazing maternal role model x
Author
Bless you Annie…not every day I’m afraid!
Oh Becky you are such a wonderful mother giving your children the gift of kindness.
This has moved me to tears. x
Awww, a post that touches deep is a very good one indeed. I love watching children take the initiative and what’s even lovelier is when adults recognise the fact. Beautiful
What a beautiful post and such a lovely saying. I’m in tears at the woman in the supermarket though – what a lovely thing to do!
Author
I know Penny what a sweetheart!
You’re so right, there is nothing like the feeling of having helped someone else! You have very wonderful children! x x
Author
I do Mary, I really do.x
That’s brilliant, so sweet and kind. I did a few foodbank drops before Christmas but you’ve inspired me to talk to the girls more about it and take them with me next time, thanks!
Author
Ah lovely and yes will be fab to get the girls involved
Becky I think it is an important lesson that we need to teach children. I am reading a book about givers and takers and have been reading bits out to my children as I think it is skill they can use with friends, people they dont know and later on in life.
Author
Absolutely Na..that book sounds FAB!
I love this post Becky, so true. L spent Tues eve telling her friend he had to believe in himself and he could play tennis. I have been reminding her to tell herself that too. I love the way you give them chances to really lift people who need it – amazing life lessons. The plate is gorgeous too!
Author
So sweet of little L obviously had a great teacher!
This is so lovely. Nathan loves helping others and is looking forward to getting involved in some more local charity activities with me this year. This is wonderful and makes so many memories for them as well which they can carry with them as they grow.
Author
Your so right Vicky memory making stuff
Your post just gave me goose-bumps Becky! How absolutely wonderful! I love this idea and will work to do something with my children as well. Brilliant!
Thank you for sharing with Embrace Happy!
Karin xx
Lovely, lovely post- the world needs more of this attitude. Love your son for his thoughtfulness and love the old lady who chased after to donate her bit too! A really uplifting post xx
Author
Ah Sonya I agree the world does need more of this! It’s a win -win and I like those!
Oh my goodness Becky, this post has made me all emotional. What a wonderful thing for your children to do! Amazing life lesson.
I also love that the disapproving looks turned into admiration too!
Author
Thankyou for commenting Donna The lady and the pot noodles made me a bit emotional! It was one of those ‘moments to cherish’