This week’s challenge is to try to speak to all of your family members with more politeness, courtesy, and respect. Try to encourage greater kindness and civility in your home.
The world has a very different view of civility and respect. Good old manners are fading fast. You don’t see as much kindness, manners, and politeness in movies and TV. I can tell you having been in the public schools, kids today are not learning the courtesy and respect needed. Vulgarity, bullying, aggression, and lack of empathy for others are just a few of the many problems plaguing our society today. Don’t let these issues trickle into your home. Kids need to be taught what civility should look like and help them avoid friction among family members. Be the example for them of effective behavior. Don’t put up with bad behavior in your home. Instead, replace it with kindness.
The Golden Rule is still a great guide to follow. Treat others the way that you would want to be treated. Could you imaging driving if all of the drivers followed the golden rule? It would be amazing. Look for ways to help family members follow the golden rule.
Here are some things you could do to show civility this week.
- Be on time! Make an effort to be there when you need to be there. With Siri’s guidance, you can know exactly how long it will take to get places so you can plan accordingly.
- Be Observant. Look around you. Look for people who are alone, or sad or lonely, and find a way to cheer and lift them.
- Disagree respectfully. You won’t always agree with others, but how you deal with those differences goes a long way. Find a way to love people even if they or their viewpoints are different.
- Use the magic words. Please, thank you, excuse me, you’re welcome…I still say to kids, “What’s the magic word?” So often, they don’t know what it is.
- Find ways to serve others. Simple acts of kindness go a long way!
- Smile more.
- Don’t get upset when someone cuts you off in traffic.
- Listen more, talk less.
- Demand respect from your children. Don’t allow back-talk or disin’ other family members.
- Be in the moment. Put away cell phones when you are with someone else-and have an actual conversation.
- Write thank you notes.
- Give a compliment.
- Leave a big tip.
- Don’t gossip. Be positive.
Remember to act instead of react. Try to talk calmly and in a positive voice. Plan ahead how you will respond. Show them how to be civil and kind. I’ll never forget when I said something to my kids word for word the way my dad said it. Things you learn as a child really stick with you. You are molding these precious kids into something grand! You want your home to be an environment of peace, positivity, safety, and love. You can do it! I’d love to hear what you do to show civility in your home.
Things that inspired me today: