This week my family has been thinking a lot about making promises to one another. As we begin summer, we are all faced with spending A LOT of time with one another. In fact, Ruby and Natalie will be with each other nearly everyday. I am sure we are not the only parents who experience fighting among our kids. For us, this fighting, bickering, and constant requests for us to adjudicate drive us very nearly crazy. Adam sat down with the girls this week and put together a sister's covenant with them. "Keep calm voices, give others a turn to speak, be safe, and make sure the other person is having fun." This covenant is helping. They are owning it because they helped to create it. Yes, they have had to review it frequently, but you know, they are thinking about how to treat one another with respect and love. What more could we ask for? Full Week Faith - From Tapestry of Faith"Family Covenant— Create a family covenant. Most families have explicit rules, as well as many that go unspoken. Set some time aside to identify behaviors that help the family thrive. List the promises you are all willing to keep and have each member of the family sign the covenant. Try to state your expectations in positive terms rather than negative. For example, instead of saying "Don't be selfish," you can say, "Be generous." Empower all members of the family to be keepers of the covenant and point out when it has been broken. If you like, work together to create a list of apology actions, such as apologizing, giving a hug, fixing something, or giving someone some space. You can use these actions to help make things right after a transgression. For an example, see the "Family Pledge of Non-Violence" on the Parenting for Peace and Justice website." This WeekSunday, May 29th - This will be a multi-generational service. As with all our multi-gen services, K-H.S will stay in the service. Please take advantage of our fidget items for kids that can be found in the vestibule outside of the sanctuary. Nursery/Toddler and Pre-K kids may be dropped off in their regular classrooms before the service.
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AuthorHi, I am Rachel Wathen. I have been the Director of Religious Education at Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church in Lenexa, KS for nearly four years. My experiences in this position have taught me just how valuable parents and community are to the spiritual growth of children. This blog will give families ideas to practically live a "Full Week Faith" as Unitarian Universalists. Archives
February 2017
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