I’m teaching my children how to give back. Living in a world that is saturated with self-glory. How can we as parents remind our children of the importance of giving back?
I’m not sure if you all remember the alcohol craze that consumed Facebook a while ago? The NEK Nominations flooded social media – if you were nominated you had to down a drink of your choice, and then challenge others to do the same.
It was around this time that YouTuber Brent Lindeque from The Good Things Guy decided to make a change. He encouraged us to change the NEK nominations to the RAK nominations. (Random Acts of Kindness) and turned a drinking challenge into a helping hand and inspired thousands of random acts of kindness.
So… In honour of Brent and all the good that he does. Let’s revive the RAK Nominations.
How do we physically teach our children to be kind, and give back? What are we doing to encourage our children to create a better tomorrow? Are we not their examples?
I was nominated by Sarah of Two Syllables to take part in spreading kindness.
On Friday my boys and I decided to give a dear lady named Vera (94 and housebound) a visit. We spent time chatting and the boys read her a story about how the Baboon got his pink bottom. :) She was absolutely delighted and thrilled with all the boisterous behavior of two highly energetic boys running around her house. Her giggling throughout the storytelling was contagious and we even shared cupcakes and drank apple juice.
Not only was this a great lesson for my boys, but it was an eye-opener for me.
I am now going to tag two people on Facebook – one blogger and one mama – and nominate them to do their own #RAK and hopefully, together we can create a movement of #momswhocare. If you get nominated, you have 48 hours to complete a Random Act of Kindness (for a stranger, your domestic helper, your child’s teacher, your neighbor, absolutely anyone!), and then you need to tag two more mamas to do the same, using the hashtags #RAK and #momswhocare. And if you haven’t been nominated, but are feeling inspired, then step right up and nominate yourself!
Become part of the #mumolution, I dare you!
Oh sweet :)
x
Love the pic of Vera and your boys – she looks so happy. This was so kind and sweet! x #globalblogging
She is such a dear and loved spending time with the boys! x
How lovely. Such a good lesson for your boys and it’s lovely to see Vera look so happy. #globalblogging
Thank you! x
Such a wonderful initiative. These boys will grow up to be wonderful compassionate gentleman with such an example. #globalblogging
It is a wonderful initiative! We should be doing more of this every day! x
Good to see, thanks for sharing. We took cheeseburgers around for the homeless at Christmas one year with our kids to try and show them about paying it forward. #GlobalBlogging
Oh wow. That is so special! I’m sure those cheeseburgers were enjoyed! x
I absolutely love this idea! #globalblogging
Isn’t it great! x
OMG I LOVE This! Well done you! I remember the craze for NEK as I was scared stupid that my teenagers would try to join in. The random acts of kindness is such a better way to live our lives. I try to include this as part of my everyday too. Well done you. #Globalblogging
I know right! I can imagine how anxious so many parents must have been!
People often thing giving in only money form. There are so many more ways. This is important for kids to learn. Well done you! #globalblogging
Absolutely! I couldn’t agree more!
I’m loving this idea!
Also, old people and kids are such a good pairing that I still don’t get why we don’t do similar actions *all the time*. Here there’s the concept of “grandma for rent”, lonely old people who offer to babysitter kids, like grandparents would do. Isn’t that brilliant?
Looking forward to reading more posts following this tag ? it warms the heart to see people taking a minute to notice who needs help around them.
#GlobalBlogging
I love that!! “Grandparent for rent”, how much fun would that be!!
That really worked out well — both parties seemed to have gained a lot. #GlobalBlogging
It was a lovely day!
I do the grocery shopping for an elderly neighbour once a week, and other neighbours do other things to help her stay at home – it’s a nice. My youngest never wants to visit her tho. I make her come a couple of times a year (in the school holidays) so I don’t think it’s wearing off. #Globalblogging
That is so kind of you. We often forget that so many don’t relatives around to help. Every little bit counts.
This is so sweet! It is so wonderful to see the change in disposition when an elderly citizen gets to experience the joy that children can bring! Thanks for sharing!
#GlobalBlogging
Absolutely! It brings a youthful cheer doesn’t it!
Why a fantastic concept of a way of sharing support, love and kindness between people – whether it be family, friends, neighbours or people you don’t even know! It seems like Vera really enjoyed your visit from you and your boys! #globalblogging
She is the sweetest lady, we had a wonderful time.
That’s so sweet that you went and visited with her. I’m sure she loved that and really appreciated the time you all took.
The boys loved every minute. It was so great to see them interact with her.
This is a brilliant post and such good sentiment. I have been trying to join a volunteer scheme and there is lots of paperwork, but this has inspired me to randomly just be kind without signing up to a scheme. #GlobalBlogging
That is awesome. I look forward to reading about it :)
It is so important to teach our kids how to give back. We have started a youth outreach group in our church and it’s amazing to see how much meaning they have found in giving back and serving others with in the broader community. They need to keep a journal and write down their thoughts and how it made them feel to give selflessly. This will be something that they can take into their adult life.#globalblogging
What a great concept and such a special way to teach our children empathy for others. Love this idea!
Vera looks so happy–and so do the boys!
#globalblogging
Thanks, Katy!
That’s lovely ? And she looks much younger than 94!! x
#GlobalBlogging
Doesn’t she look fantastic!! What a gorgeous lady!
What a fantastic idea! Love it!
#globalblogging
Awesome to hear! Thanks for reading!
Love this. RAOK are just so heartwarming for all involved! I cant wait for Ben to get older and understand the concept! Just the smallest gesture can really make someone’s day! #globalblogging
That is so true, it was so important for me to show my boys that just a small gesture can mean so much!
What a beautiful lesson, spreading kindness all around! The pictures are priceless! I love RAK! This is brilliant! OUr world needs this! Bravo to you and your boys! xoxo #globalblogging xo
If only we all did this at least once a day, can you imagine the ripple effect :)
This is AWESOME!!! So much better than overindulging in alcohol thanks to the internet. #GlobalBlogging
100 % better, and you feel better the next day too :)
What a wonderful idea. I don’t drink and was unaware of the encouragement of it via nomination! I’m pleased someone turned it into rak nominations instead. #globalblogging
I think it is frightening what people encourage over the internet. And yes, it’s great that there are people out there that are willing to stand up and make a change. x
Hi Jacqui! Very timely article. These are the reasons why I encourage my kids to spend as much time as possible with my 90 year old grandmother. There is so much wisdom there for them to learn – and it always brings a huge smile to her face to see them walk in!
It is so important to teach children about the little things that they can do to help others. I helped an elderly man post a letter this week and the children asked why I did it so I explained that smiles and thanks cost nothing but are worth everything. #globalblogging
Thanks for the nomination. Challenge complete!
#globalblogging
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