We have been hearing in the media how important it is to look after our children’s mental health and keep them connected during this extended lockdown. Rather than focussing on things you can do to help them, you could turn it around and ask them what they can do to make someone else’s day a bit brighter. Not only does this cheer someone else up but demonstrates Catholic values of Common Good and Solidarity by thinking of those other than ourselves.
Some suggestions to brighten someone else’s day might be:
Zoom call or FaceTime someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. I know it might seem like the last thing they should do after a day of school work on a laptop, but it might cheer up someone who has few other chances for conversation.
Chalk pictures. If you have a footpath or driveway, you could have them create some chalk art and bring some smiles to people who walk by.
Create a sign or poster with a positive message to hang in your window. People will see it as they walk by your house.
Send an old fashioned letter in the post. Who doesn’t love to get a letter in the mailbox - if it’s not a bill!
Leave flowers at someone’s door, if you have some flowers growing in your garden at the moment.
Send a small care package. It could include a small food treat, a small toy or just some coloured paper and pencils. Again, everyone likes getting a package!
I think these kinds of gestures are like the saying at Christmas ‘it is better to give than to receive’. By doing good for others, we often feel better inside ourselves.
I’d love to see your photos or images of what you come up with.
Mrs Willard
