Activities have included visiting the sick, conducting services or providing music for the elderly in nursing homes, preparing meals or boxes of necessities for the needy, volunteering time to help other children with lessons, and regular prayer for others. Planning activities as part of school that allowed the children to make gifts to give at Christmas. Providing opportunities for the children to earn money for gift giving and personal spending. Both of the above goals contributed to their appreciation of what others give to them. Specific lessons and regular practice of housekeeping and personal grooming skills, and manners.
Kids don t start out unselfish and eager to help mom.
They prefer to be waited on, live without baths, and eat without manners. This is the area our new family member finds most challenging, and protests most frequently. We often discuss the why s behind the rules so that he will eventually have a new attitude. We have changed his outward behavior, but until his attitude changes, his behavior will be correct only in our home, never on his own. Our routine has also always included weekly attendance at church and involvement in church activities midweek prayer service, special activities for the youth, and so on.