Updated: Feb. 28, 2020
Originally Published: March 19, 2018
Every morning when I drop my daughter off at school, I find myself silently hoping for her safe return at the end of the day. This has become our unfortunate reality, whether we like it or not.
As a mother in a world filled with parents, I often feel at a loss about how to effect positive change. I can participate in community groups, attend rallies, or contact my elected officials, but these efforts often leave me feeling powerless in the ongoing struggle for safer schools and children.
The Daily Challenge
A few months back, I began an activity with my 7-year-old daughter: a daily challenge. Beyond the usual reminders to be kind and safe, this initiative was designed to foster meaningful conversations after school.
The idea sparked from my frustration over her returning home with a lunchbox full of untouched food. Her first challenge was simply to eat her lunch. After a few days of successful reports, she earned a small reward and quickly expressed a desire for more challenges.
What started as a simple request to eat her lunch blossomed into a variety of engaging activities. Some days, we tackle one challenge, while on others, we might have 2-3. Together, we’ve brainstormed a slew of challenges, including:
- Give someone a compliment today.
- Play with a new friend.
- Introduce yourself to someone you haven’t met yet.
- Sit with different friends at lunch today.
- Thank your teacher before leaving for the day.
- Find a friend who is alone and invite them to join you.
- Create a new game and get your friends to play it.
- Share why you enjoy playing with a friend.
- Ask your teacher if there’s any way you can help them.
- Greet the principal with a “good morning” or “afternoon.”
Each day at pick-up, I ask her about her challenge, and I listen intently as she shares stories of how she made someone smile or how her new game has become a hit. This exchange has become a cherished part of our routine, allowing us to move beyond the typical “How was school today?” and instead dive deeper into her experiences. The joy radiating from her as she recounts her successes fills me with happiness.
This daily practice has opened my eyes to the real difference I can make as a parent.
Enhancing Communication and Understanding
These daily challenges have proven invaluable in strengthening our bond. Although we’ve always enjoyed a good rapport, this initiative solidifies our communication further. It encourages her to share her experiences and feelings, something I hope will continue as she grows.
I genuinely love our conversations, and staying informed about her life helps me gauge her well-being. It also positions me to intervene if needed; she might share something innocent that could signal a deeper issue we can tackle together.
The Power of Kindness
As straightforward as these daily challenges are, their potential impact is profound. Imagine if every day we encouraged our children to reach out to someone who’s lonely or prompted them to compliment a peer. Such acts of kindness could mean the world to someone who might be struggling.
Instilling kindness in our children every day could contribute to a more compassionate environment. After all, the next potential school shooter might be in a classroom somewhere; kindness could change the trajectory of their life.
Kindness is free and doesn’t require legislation. It simply exists. And it can truly make a difference.
Though our daily challenges began innocently, they’ve transformed my outlook on parenting. I no longer feel helpless; instead, I recognize that the most crucial role I can play is raising my children to be empathetic individuals. By demonstrating kindness and encouraging them to practice it daily, we can make a lasting impact.
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In summary, through daily challenges, I’ve discovered a new way to connect with my child, fostering communication and kindness while helping her grow into a compassionate individual.
Keyphrase: Daily challenges with children
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