Kitchen Table Kindness for Your Big-Hearted Family
In this unprecedented time of social distancing and simplified schedules, Doing Good Together is here as always to empower you to engage your family in compassionate, community-supporting projects. We’ve compiled a short but meaningful list of big-hearted projects for kitchen table kindness. These simple activities will inspire your family to support one another and our local communities during this strange time.
If you would like these — and several bonus projects — delivered right to your doorstep, check out our DGT Kitchen Table Kindness Kits. Our unique kit allows you and your kids to offer simple acts of generosity right at home. Find all you need to advocate for issues that matter; combat hunger; treat homebound folks to creative artwork; share gratitude with people who mean the world to you; and spark fun, meaningful conversations about empathy, compassion, and the common good! Find more information about the Kindness Kit and order today: only $14.95, including shipping. Or opt for the downloadable digital version for $5.95.
Making time for a big-hearted moment in these days of social distancing isn’t just a sweet way to pass the time. Acts of compassion are essential as our families and our communities navigate our way through the fear, confusion, illness, and disruption of this moment.
Kindness is a science-backed way to support your family’s emotional health and share a sense of positivity and purpose.
Kindness makes you healthier. Research indicates that "doing for others" has a positive impact on the heart and immune system, may reduce inflammation, and can even extend your lifespan. One large study found a 44% reduction in mortality among older people who were frequent volunteers.
Giving is good for mental wellness. Both receiving and giving help are predictors of good mental health. A project from the UK Government Office for Science concluded that one of the "5 Ways to Mental Well Being" was to "give to others." It appears to reduce stress and feelings of isolation and put problems in perspective. Other research suggests that doing kind acts may effectively treat anxiety.
Giving helps us feel connected. Social bonds are necessary for humans to thrive, but in this era of social distancing these bonds can feel distant. Acts of kindness — even when they are shared remotely — promote a sense of bonding and community by starting a chain reaction of positivity. Researchers have found that even a brief kindness-centered meditation can enhance our sense of connection to strangers.
May our list below serve as inspiration as you fold daily acts of kindness into your new routine.
As a parent, I’m well aware that strict schedules, rigid assignments, and mandatory crafts can quickly lead to power struggles. Instead, I recommend letting kids choose which project they’d like to start with. Set the project up. Then invite your kids to let you know when they are ready to give it a try. Follow our links for related reflection questions, book ideas, and printables.
1. Keep a big-hearted journal.
TRY THIS: Each day, write a reflection question in your journal and invite each family member to record a response.
The Greater Good Network offered these essential questions.
This is a historical moment, one your whole family may want to look back on. Writing a bit each day may also help you keep things in perspective. Noticing the good in our lives makes it easier to share our bounty with others. Other big-hearted tidbits to record include:
an uplifting news story
something that captured your attention or inspired you
3 things or people you’re grateful for today
some ways your family has connected with or checked in on others
2. Share your appreciation.
TRY THIS: Celebrate people making a difference in your community with this unique printable award. Or make up your own!
Put your creative talents to work designing unique awards for the first responders, health care providers, grocery service staff, teachers, and anyone else keeping your community safe, fed, and engaged throughout this crisis.
3. Check in on your neighbors.
TRY THIS: Call and video chat often, and offer to pick up extras if you are out for supplies.
If you happened to stock up on supplies above and beyond what you need for the next few weeks, share extras with elderly neighbors that may be less able to shop. Stay connected with your local school district, as they circulate requests and suggestions for supporting your community during extended days off from school.
4. Set up a card-making station.
TRY THIS: Contact a local nursing home and ask if they are interested in receiving cheerful mail.
Many local elder care facilities are asking for uplifting art and cards as seniors struggle with loneliness during this period of social isolation. Experts seem to think the risk of sending germs along with cards is minimal, but if you’re worried, scan or photograph your creations and e-mail them to those in need of a smile. Also consider mailing cards to loved ones, neighbors, far-off friends, and anyone on this list of potential card recipients.
5. Support your local food shelf.
TRY THIS: Add an extra place setting — a decorative place-mat, bowl, & spoon — to your family table. Then use this space to support those struggling with food insecurity.
If possible, add a note-card featuring facts about how your local food shelf is ramping up to support those in need at this time. Then set aside 5 minutes each day for as long as this crisis lasts to count something of abundance in your home (shoes, drawers, forks, items in the pantry). Commit to adding that number of coins to your empty bowl, and donate the funds you raise to the local food shelf or other hunger relief organization. This is a tangible way to help young learners understand the good we can do with our donations.
6. Create and share DIY bird feeders.
TRY THIS: Create birdseed cookies — or any of the creative bird feeders on our For the Birds Pinterest Board — and share them with neighbors.
Young nature lovers will love whipping up a batch of bird treats! Then you can give the gift of bird watching to someone in need of kindness. Simply leave a birdseed treat and a cheerful card on a neighbor’s doorstep, letting them know they can hang them to attract their feathered neighbors.
7. Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram!
TRY THIS: Join our Facebook Group or follow along on our Instagram.
Join DGT's Facebook group to connect with like-minded families committed to doing good!
As always, we’ll be sharing more ideas with parents committed to building a kinder, better world via Instagram or on our closed Facebook group. (Request an invite, and we'll welcome you right in!) Kindly invite at least one good friend to join as well. Together we'll motivate, encourage, troubleshoot, and celebrate one another's efforts to share kindness and spread make a difference as this situation evolves.
Let us know how you’re sharing kindness and practicing compassion while socially distancing.
We’d love to hear your story!
Don't forget to visit our store for our kindness kits and other big-hearted products.
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The recommendations we offer are based solely on our mission to empower parents to raise children who care and contribute.