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Random Acts of Kindness Day

Lolli — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 20:19:14 +0000

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Pampers at Sam’s Club. The opinions and text are all mine.

At the beginning of the year, we sat down as a family and talked about some of the things we would like to do in the coming year to make our own family life and the lives of those around us better. One of the main things that we discussed doing differently in 2018 was actively looking for opportunities to lift others up. I stressed the fact that helping or serving others doesn’t have to be a big effort. Sometimes saying hi, sitting next to someone who is alone, or helping someone who has dropped something is all it takes to make another person’s day.

Most of the time, random acts of kindness don’t require any planning ahead or much time from the giver at all. Acts of kindness can include a text to say “I’m thinking about you,” a surprise raking of leaves for a neighbor, a batch of cookies for a friend, or a hug for someone who looks like they could use some support.

Just this past month, I brought a package of Pampers diapers and wipes to a friend who is about to have her second child. She had mentioned that she had plenty of clothes and supplies from her first child, so I figured that diapers and wipes would be the ideal gift. Random acts of kindness can reach to your community, as well. We love to take our older kids to a women’s shelter to serve meals a few times a year. We also participate in school supply drives and put backpacks full of supplies together for kids before the start of a new school year. When I was a teenager, I enjoyed visiting with elderly residents at a rest home. Another easy but very appreciated community service is dropping off diapers at a diaper bank or women’s shelter.

I remember how much a simple phone call or a visit from a friend meant to me when I was a young mother with little ones under foot. That adult contact was a lifeline! I’ve also seen how much a friend to sit with at lunch can change the entire day of a child who’s feeling lonely at school. Lots of us think of the month of February as being the month of love, thanks to Valentine’s Day. But did you know that February 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day? What better way to show love to those closest to you as well as those throughout your community than to search out opportunities to bring happiness to others? This month, you can get an instant savings of $8 off the purchase of 2 Pampers products at Sam’s Club. Plus, you can get a $10 Sam’s Club eGift Card when you purchase $50 worth of Pampers diapers or wipes. So even if your kids are out of diapers like my kids are, you can take advantage of the savings to touch someone’s life (and get a little back for yourself, too!). That “someone” may be a neighbor who just had a new baby, a family member with multiple little ones (I vividly remember being there!), or a diaper bank (they can always use more diapers!). Head over to Sam’s Club now to take advantage of the instant savings and the eGift Card offer when you purchase Pampers! How will you and your family reach out to those close to you and those in your community on Random Acts of Kindness Day? I’d love to hear your ideas or things you have done in the past that have made an impact!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Pampers at Sam’s Club. The opinions and text are all mine.

How To Talk To Your Kids About Going Back To School

Lolli — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 13:03:39 +0000

Isn’t it so hard to believe that it’s back to school season already? I feel as though my kids just started summer break. This summer was filled to the brim with swim team and lots of individual trips – camp, scouts, activities – and it never felt like a typical summer. I think we’re all looking forward to the new school year.

Back-to-school is easier in some respects now that they are in middle school, high school and college. Transitioning to a new school year – and often a new school – is a big deal, and despite the fact that we’ve got a number of “first days” under our belt, we still need to prepare, both mentally and physically.

One way to get older kids ready for a new school year is to sit them down for a back to school talk. I believe it’s just as important as the back to school shopping trip for new school supplies.

As your kids get older, you may wonder what you should include in this back to school talk. Here are some of my suggestions and some topics we touch on.

Talk about the routine

I know every parent out there has this talk with their child when back to school rolls around. The routine talk is kind of a wake-up call for the whole house. No more staying up late and sleeping in; it’s time to get back into the school routine. We chat about what new things we’ll be adding to the schedule – not only do we have early wake up for school , but we’ve got fall sports that start practicing after school. It’s good to sit down with a calendar and map out who needs to be where when, and how we can be ready, as a family and individually, for the demands on our time.

Encourage responsibility

I’m blessed to have fairly responsible kids, but even the most responsible kids need a little back to school chat. Talk to your kids about their responsibilities while they are in school as well as responsibilities that they’ll need to take care of at home. Maybe touch on what you expect from them and what their school may be expecting from them. Don’t forget that even if your kids shows signs of being mature, they still need a reminder from time to time.

Talk to your kids about empathy

When your children head back to school this year, remind them that the world is a little different than their household. Children in their school come from all different backgrounds. Empathy is such an important concept to talk about with your kids, especially as they head back to school. Remind your kids that they may come into contact with kids who are sad, happy, or even dealing with problems they don’t want to talk about. Showing kindness and understanding is one way your child can reach out to another student who may be struggling. Teaching your child emotional intelligence at a young age is a great gift you can pass along.

Always think twice

Raise your hand if you’re an adult who could use this reminder. I always talk to my kids about making good decisions as back to school season rolls around. I still struggle with thinking twice before making a decision, so I know my teenagers are going to struggle with it as well. Sometimes when you’re in a hurry or preoccupied, it’s so easy to make a quick decision. I teach my kids that there are consequences to their actions. Heading back to school is a good time to remind them of this.

Be a good friend

Last, but not least, a topic that is discussed in our back to school talk is how to be a good friend and why that’s important. Be a good person in general. Don’t laugh at people, don’t make fun of people, and try to help when and where you can. One of the most simple tips is also one of the most profound – simply be the kind of friend that you want to have.

I also keep in mind that my kids are always watching me. They expect me to be a great role model to them in all of these aspects (and more). So this list of tips is as much for me as it is for you and your kids.

Share Empathy

This year is a particularly special (and perhaps difficult) back-to-school season for us. My youngest son, my baby, is starting his first year of middle school. It’s always especially tough to start a new school year at a new school with a bunch of people you don’t already know. This video from Kleenex® really tugged at my heartstrings.

Kleenex® can equip parents and students with the one important school supply this back to school season — empathy. I can’t tell you how many times I have personally been helped and lifted simply by knowing that I wasn’t alone – that there were others who were going through the same fears or struggles as me. Think of how much power our kids could have if they all started the school off with less fear and more empathy towards others!

Kleenex® brand sponsored a social experiment and workshop with new middle school students to help kids face the challenges of a new school year. The social experiment and workshop was led by Lori Nathanson, PhD, and Shauna Tominey, PhD, researchers at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and focused on the power of emotions to create a more effective and compassionate society.

This is part of the Kleenex® “Someone Needs One” program, where they have challenged people to be more aware of overlooked, everyday opportunities to show that they care.

Find out more on Facebook.com/Kleenex and visit Kleenex.com to see how you and your kids can help make caring contagious as they head back to school.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Join Me For The #PayItFwdDay Twitter Party 4/22

Lolli — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 12:20:26 +0000

This is a sponsored post and twitter party but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Just recently, I benefitted from the kindness of two friends. They didn’t have to do what they did, but they did it willingly, nonetheless. I’m grateful for their kindness, and I’m excited to pay it forward now myself.

Have you ever paid it forward or been the recipient of a random act of kindness? Doesn’t it make you feel amazing?

This coming week, I’m teaming up with Savings Bank Life Insurance Company (SBLI) and the Pay it Forward Foundation for a Pay it Forward Day Twitter Party. SBLI wants to help protect families by providing affordable life insurance. They are also committed improving the lives of others through simple acts of kindness. The goal of the Pay it Forward Foundation is to inspire people to perform random acts of kindness for others, thus making the world a better place. What awesome companies to team with!

#PayitFwdDay Twitter party details

International Pay it Forward Day coming up on April 24, 2014 and we’re celebrating this coming Tuesday 4/22 with a #PayItFwdDay Twitter Party!

What: We will be sharing Pay it Forward stories, ideas for how YOU and your family can Pay it Forward, as well as how to teach your children the importance of spreading kindness and paying it forward. And prizes, of course!

Pay it Forward – to perform any act of kindness without asking for or expecting anything in return, only that the person do something nice for someone else. It’s a simple, yet powerful concept that can change the lives of those around us, make us healthier and happier, and even make the world a better place for future generations.

When: Tuesday, April 22, at 1:00-2:00 pm ET

Where: Follow the #PayitFwdDay hashtag on Twitter. You can see the details and RSVP HERE.

Prizes: We will be giving away five prizes to randomly selected winners. Five winners who answer trivia questions during the party will receive $50 VISA gift cards and a Pay it Forward bracelet!

Hosts: @SavingsBankLife and @charleypif

Co-hosts:

Brandy, Happily Blended – @brandyellen
Chrysa, Thrifty Jinxy – @ThriftyJinxy
Dawn, Homemaking Hacks – @dawnchats
Debra, A Frugal Friend – @AFrugalFriend
Ellen, Thrifty and Chic Mom – @ThriftyChicMom
Emily, Nap Time is My Time – @naptimeismytime
Jenn, The Rebel Chick – @TheRebelChick
Kristen, Mudpies and Tiaras – @MudpiesandTiara
Lolli, Better in Bulk – @1momof5
Shauna, Adventures of 8 – @adventuresof8
Stefani, Mommy Enterprises – @mommye
Tiffany, Broward Saves – @BrowardSaves

Find out more:

Pay it Forward Foundation Website: https://www.payitforwardfoundation.org/
Pay it Forward Foundation Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/payitforwardexperience
SBLI Website: https://www.sbli.com/
SBLI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mySBLI/app_599788450050788

Hope to see you there!

7 Simple Ways to Encourage Kindness in Children

Lolli — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 05:00:03 +0000

It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice. -Author Unknown

I’ve often told my kids that I don’t expect them to be friends with everyone they meet, but I DO expect them to be nice to everyone. While some children seem to be born naturally kind, others need careful “training.” As a mother to both kinds of children–the naturally kind and the teachably kind–I’ve noticed several simple steps to foster kindness in kids.

How to encourage your children to be kind

Be a model of kindness – children learn best when they can look to and follow a good example. Be the kind of person you want your children to be…because they WILL model your behaviors whether you want them to or not.
Kindness starts at home – When I was a kid, I sang a short song that went like this:

“I want to be kind to everyone
For that is right, you see.
So I say to myself, remember this:
Kindness begins with me.”

Like most important lessons, children learn the value of kindness at home first. Before they have friends and school mates, they can practice kindness within the family.

Start small – practicing kindness doesn’t have to be big. Being kind can be as simple as remembering to say hello, or smiling when you pass a friend in the hall or the grocery store. Reminding kids (and adults!) that kindness is built on small, reachable actions encourages them to do more.
Point out kind acts – when you see someone do something kind, point it out. Saying it out loud and bringing attention to your kids’ kind acts as well as the kind actions of others builds a catalog of “things I can do to be kind” in a child’s brain. Pointing out kindness is also a gentle, positive reminder of how you want them to act.

Point out their feelings – being kind feels good. We all want to feel good. Get children used to the good feeling they get when they are kind, and they’ll crave more of it.
Be grateful – when a kindness is shown, say thank you and encourage your children to do the same. Gratitude is another step in learning to be kind.
Report back – give your children accountability. At the end of every day or every week, discuss the kindnesses shown to them as well as the kindness they’ve shown to others. When they know they have to report back, they’re more likely to keep their eyes open for opportunities to show and receive kindness. Dinner time and bed time are both wonderful times to share “kindness reports.”

How do you encourage kindness in your children?

Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you – not because they are nice, but because you are. -Author Unknown