I have Caitlin from Cait + Create here with us today to talk about service!
She is so beautiful and amazing and I just adore her and I know you will too.
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Hi Simply Enchanted readers! I am so excited to be guest posting on Ashley’s blog today.
Let me start by telling you a little bit about my family…I am married to my best friend and the lucky mom of 3 crazy-busy boys; Saxon, Bridger, and Dalton. Saxon is 5, Bridger is 3, and Dalton is 1. They are smart, funny, and more often than not, best buddies. Being so close together is age has its advantages. They always have a playmate! But it also has its disadvantages…sometimes I think they feel lost.
Saxon is my oldest and he has a HUGE personality! He is hilarious, loves to be the center of attention, and can sometimes be a little explosive. When he is craving attention and not getting it, he acts out. It’s a sure-fire way to get attention. I’ve been worried lately that he is acting out more because he isn’t getting enough positive attention.
So I started thinking…what are some ways to help my kids, Saxon in particular, to feel better about themselves, gain confidence, and receive positive attention for making good choices? Service. Doing service most often benefits the giver more than the one receiving the service.
"How wonderful it is that nobody need
wait a single moment before
starting to improve the world."
~Anne Frank
We started out simply…Saxon helped me bring cookies to a neighbor. Then he helped his Dad rake up leaves around the neighborhood. Each time I could see the difference it would make in him. He was happy to help, happy to be trusted with a responsibility, and happy to make someone else happy. He just glows and basks in the positive attention.
"In about the same degree as
you are helpful, you will be happy."
~Karl Reiland
One day I googled “service projects for kids”, just to see what ideas are out there. I came across several lists of ideas. I decided that for the month of December, I would let each of my kids plan their own service project. They are so excited about it! I read them the list to give them some ideas, and then let them decide. Saxon decided that he wants to help animals. Bridger decided that he wants to “play games with old people” (volunteer at a nursing home).
December is a great month to start a tradition of giving service because the opportunities are endless. Every time we go to the grocery store, I let each of my kids pick out an extra can of food to donate. Every year we let the kids pick a name from the “angel tree” at the mall, and then help us shop for the gift. We love bringing cookies to our neighbors.
Giving service has become such an exciting thing in our home. It makes a difference in our family. I hope that everyone can find a way this season to do something special for someone in need. Like I said before, chances are, you will find that you are the one who walks away feeling better.
"Let no one ever come to you
without leaving better and happier."
~Mother Teresa
Happy holidays!
~Caitlin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Isn't she just AMAZING?!
Be sure to go check out her blog!
She has an awesome Etsy shop too that I think you should check out!
Have a great Monday!
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