Mommy Moments
Fill Your House with Kindness
By Melanie Lewis
In light of current tragedies, a movement was initiated called “26 Acts of Kindness.” Ann Curry is credited with the idea of remembering each one of the Sandy Hook students and adult victims. Many people probably don’t realize that they automatically qualify by holding the door for someone or offering to take their shopping cart back to the store on their way. And I was recently a recipient of a random gift of coconut water at the supermarket checkout. I curiously asked the woman in line ahead of me making the purchase of coconut water how she liked it, etc. After she checked out she handed me a bottle and said, “On the house”. I was a surprised and thanked her. As parents how can we teach our children to be generous, kind and empathetic? Steering them in the right direction is one of the goals of my son’s elementary school. It’s really caught on with the kids and I’d like to share that with you.
In order to help make the message meaningful and at an age-appropriate level, the principal brought small groups of students to his office one day. He explained a new concept he was going to have at the school and asked if they’d be able to help him. He asked everyone if they could be a “bucket-filler”. In order to explain what a bucket-filler is, he read a story from the book, “Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness”, by Carol McCloud. “Your bucket has one purpose only. Its purpose is to hold your good thoughts and good feelings about yourself.” If you’re filling someone else’s bucket it doesn’t take away from your bucket, rather “it fills yours too”! The book provides the kids with bucket-filling ideas. Many fall into the category of compliments. There’s politeness, cheerfulness, helpfulness, sharing and taking turns.
In order to solidify his message, he gave each student a copy of the book as gift. It also served to communicate to the parents the message and purpose of the bucket-filler program at the school. Participation in filling buckets began on an all-school bucket-filling campaign where each student was given a bucket-filler form on a 4”x4” piece of paper. On it was a line- ” _______ filled my bucket today by_____________________________.” A large apple-bobbing-sized aluminum bucket was placed on a stand in the school lobby for the students to put their filled bucket slips. The principle selects a few to be read with the daily announcements and also posts them on a bulletin board. In addition, the bucket-filler notes are also emailed in the weekly school newsletter.
I thought, this could work at home. I took one of the whiteboards we have and drew a bucket on it. Anyone can leave a message about something nice someone did or said. I started the ball rolling by telling by one son he, “filled my bucket by reading a story to finish his weeklong reading log assignment. It was so nice to snuggle and read before school today.” To my other son I wrote, “you filled my bucket today by turning around and smiling and waving goodbye on the bus.” Reciprocal messages have been, “Have a grat (sic) day.” And “Thanks for making the yummy pancakes.”
Those were wonderful messages that I’ll have to take a picture of the whiteboard to record them. It’ll be interesting to see how long we keep it going. For the moment, the good vibes from these kind words are filling my bucket.
Melanie Lewis is the mother of 2 active young boys. She is married and works part-time as Silpada representative and a weight loss consultant. She enjoys book club, and playing with her Blue-mitted Ragdoll, Percy and Golden Retriever, Rosie. She can be reached at melaniewlewis@yahoo.com.