MiaLisa Millares
Belonging Activity with Author Laura Purdie ...

Originally recorded on October 19, 2024. In this session, author Laura Purdie Salas leads an interactive activity designed to foster a sense of belonging and community.

Belonging Activity with Author Laura Purdie Salas
MiaLisa Millares
Family Art Session with Anti-Racist Art Teachers

Originally recorded on October 19, 2024, this empathy-filled art session is designed for the whole family.

MiaLisa Millares
6-Day Summer Kindness Camp

Carve out a week to focus on kindness this summer! This 6-day at-home summer camp will help your family build valuable life skills while doing kind acts for others.

MiaLisa Millares
Tips and Tools for Kindness with Tweens and ...

Originally recorded on April 30, 2024, this was a conversation filled with ways to inspire youth to make small but meaningful ways to inspire and support teens and tweens as they share kindness in their communities.

Tips and Tools for Kindness with Tweens and Teens with Natalie Silverstein
MiaLisa Millares
Celebrating Caregivers with Projects for ...

Use this ebook to talk about and recognize the wonderful people who show your family how to care for others.

Celebrating Caregivers with Projects for Big-Hearted Families

Week 1: Trust and Mutual Respect in Family Relationships

Inspirational Quote

“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.”
— Stephen R. Covey

Discussion Point:

Reflect on this quote and discuss its meaning with each of your family members. How does trust play a role in your daily interactions?

Song Reflection

Read the lyrics of ”You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban or listen to the song lyrics. 

“When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until You come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be”

Discussion Point:

After reading, ask your spouse/ children how the song applies to the way we can show mutual respect to one another. In what ways do you raise each other up as a family? How are you one another’s strengths in hard times?

Activity for At Home

Materials Needed:

  • Two people.

  • A piece of material that can be used as a blindfold.

  • A path to walk or an outdoor space relatively flat and safe.

Guided Meditation Walk:

  1. Choose a safe area for a short walk.

  2. Pair up family members. One person is blindfolded, and the other acts as the guide.

  3. The guide leads the blindfolded person on a short walk, describing the surroundings and ensuring safety.

  4. After a few minutes, switch roles.

Reflection: 

  • How did it feel to trust someone to guide you?

  • How did it feel as the person guiding?  Did if feel like a responsibility?

  • What did you learn about trust through this activity?

Conversation Starters:

  • What does trust mean to you?

  • Can you share a time when you felt trusted by someone in the family?

  • How can we show respect to each other, even when we disagree?

  • What are some ways we can build more trust within our family?

Conclusion

We hope this curriculum helps you cultivate a stronger, more trusting relationship with your family. Remember, trust and mutual respect are the foundations of a happy, peaceful home.

Resources to Download and Print

Start Another Peace Begins in the Home Lesson

Disclaimer:  Doing Good Together™ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

The recommendations we offer are based solely on our mission to empower parents to raise children who care and contribute.

Week 2: The Role of Empathy in Building Strong Bonds

Inspirational Quote

“Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself.”
— Mohsin Hamid

Discussion Point:

Reflect on what this quote means to you as a parent or as a spouse. How can you find echoes of your spouse or child's emotions and experiences in your own life? How does that impact you?

Children’s Book Reading

Book: The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doeerfeld

This beautiful story explores themes of kindness and community, perfect for reading with your child. The book is available online for free, making it accessible for families everywhere. Click here to purchase the book. 

Summary of the Book:

If you are unable to access the video, read the following summary of the story:

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld is a beautifully illustrated children's book that explores themes of empathy, friendship, and healing. The story follows a young child named Taylor, who experiences a range of emotions after a distressing event. Various animal characters, each embodying different responses to grief and sorrow, attempt to help Taylor cope. However, it is the gentle presence of the rabbit that ultimately offers solace. The rabbit listens without judgment or the need to fix things, demonstrating the importance of simply being there for someone in their time of need. Through its heartfelt narrative, the book conveys a powerful message about the significance of emotional support and the healing power of a caring friend.

Discussion Point:

How can  you as a spouse or child in the family unit build empathy? How does empathy create bonds that makes your family stronger?

Activity for At Home

Materials Needed:

  • At least 2 people

  • Simple role play prompts

Instruction Steps:

  • Discuss the concept of empathy as understanding a situation from another’s perspective. Practice respond empathetically. Try to listen with compassion and not to make the situation about yourself.

  • Choose a scenario to act out. Have one person talk about their scenario making up some details. Have the other person practice responding empathetically. 

    1. You received some very bad news about a good friend. 

    2. A friend of yours treated you unkindly. 

  • Take turns playing different roles and discuss what each person might be feeling.

Conversation Starters:

  • What’s one kind thing you did today? How did it make you feel?

  • Can you remember a time when you felt sad? What made you feel better?

  • If someone in your family looks upset, what can you do to help them? Is it the      same for all family members?

Conclusion

By integrating these activities into your daily routine, you can foster a deeper sense of empathy and compassion in your spouse/ child's heart. Remember, the small acts of kindness you share today can shape a more loving and understanding world for tomorrow.

Resources to Download and Print

Start Another Peace Begins in the Home Lesson

Disclaimer:  Doing Good Together™ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

The recommendations we offer are based solely on our mission to empower parents to raise children who care and contribute.

Engaging Your Family in Philanthropy

Engaging Your Family in Philanthropy

The concept of philanthropy has been around for a long time. Research shows that families with strong giving traditions are more likely to give and volunteer in their adult life. And there are incredible benefits in prioritizing kindness, and philanthropy and that these practices simultaneously strengthen families and help communities by meeting needs, building resilience, breaking down stereotypes and bringing us together. Knowing that there are such benefits for the person, the family, and the community – how do we inspire children to ignite their passion of giving? In this video, MiaLisa McFarland Millares, J.D., Ed.M., Executive Director of Doing Good Together™ (DGT), shares how to engage your family in philanthropy!