Ever find yourself frustrated when you ask for help, and your kids don’t move? Well are you letting them help you out in everyday tasks? If you’re not, it’s absolutely time to start today! Seriously, you won’t regret allowing your kids to lend a hand in even the most simplest of things.
Over the weekend we took the boys with us for a local school clean up our student ministry supports. One of our family values is having a heart of service. It helps our boys know we value them, which is vital to our parenting of boys. Working alongside them reminded me how it’s so important to let them help out.
I wasn’t entirely sure how the boys would assist, and honestly I didn’t have high expectations. Cause when I really want to get something done, I have a tendency to not let my kids help. However, I know they won’t just wake up desiring to serve and help on their own. So if there is a time to let them help, it’s now!
Kids are Not Natural Helpers
Let’s be honest it doesn’t take any training or prompting for kids to ask for more, think of themselves, not share, or not help. Even as adults we struggle to jump at the chance to lending a helping hand! So in efforts of not striving for perfection, I seek moments to show our kids that lending a hand and serving does change things.
When you create an environment that encourages your kids to help out they feel purposeful and incredibly empowered!
As we planted tulip bulbs, dug out weeds, and watered plants the boys met other kids that actually attend the school we were serving. It not only put faces to their work, but it gave our oldest son stories to remember that his helping hands were making a difference.
And that really is the key, practically showing your kids that they can do something to create a change. This world and environment needs their hands to get involved too and help out!
Lending a hand and serving are learned behaviors.
Having your kids lend a hand in everyday tasks remind them that they have something to offer and others can support them too. Whether it’s measuring a cup of sugar for a recipe, drying a few spoons, or picking up items on the floor before vacuuming – it reminds them you’re important.
This weekend’s opportunity created a sense of community for our boys outside of our church walls. Working alongside kids they’ve never met before, but had the same heart was huge. It even gave us new fun memories and stories that will last beyond this moment.
Having your kids help is messy, unpredictable, and sometimes frustrating. Yet it yields a return and value that will far surpass those temporary emotions. We know we are raising incredible humans that think for themselves and think of others. Today those seeds are being planted of lending a hand… not 20 years down the road.
♡ Carmen
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