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Mommy Convos

French Fries and a Side of Grace

in Uncategorized on 10/10/18

“I’m so sorry for the mix up. Is there anything else I can get you all?”

The waitress flushed pink and brushed her bangs back from her eyes. She was having a rough night. Mixed up orders, missing french fries and an incorrect final bill. Our group of eight, my sisters’ family and my own, had given her quite the run around as she corrected meals and brought us extra drinks and napkins.

I smiled and thanked her for setting everything straight.

“We appreciate it. Hope you have a great night!”

She blinked and I could see relief wash over her face.

When we were leaving, my six-year-old tugged at my hand. “Mommy, why was she getting everything wrong?”

I took a moment to remind her everyone makes mistakes and that we can extend grace to others. Her job is hard and we can show her kindness. She nodded and chased back after her cousins.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

That brief interaction with an overwhelmed waitress made me think about other times where I have failed to model grace well for my kids. Moments where my words did not match my behavior. The golden rule, “Actions speak louder than words” is something I want to remember in my own life and parenting.

I want my daughter to be patient while we wait in the carpool line.

But I often sigh with impatience when the grocery check out line is long.

 

I remind my girls to work together to complete household chores.

But I’m quick to bicker with my husband over something small like loading the dishwasher.

 

I expect my children to show kindness to their classmates.

But I don’t always greet my neighbors when hurrying out the door.

 

I encourage them to forgive others quickly.

But I grumble under my breath when somebody cuts me off in traffic.

 

Are my actions and words matching up? Not always. But it’s that check of my own spirit that reminds me where my focus needs to be.

modeling kindness for our kids. Kindness counts. positive parenting. grace. french fries and a side of grace. good parenting. how to teach your kids to be kind. be kind.

Everyday Acts of Kindness

How can we model everyday acts of kindness for our children?

How can we incorporate our values into our actions today?

This is the hard, day-to-day stuff of life that our children need to see us do. It’s one thing to claim we value patience, goodness and humility. It’s another thing entirely to live out our lives by these beliefs.

What are some actual things I can do to model kindness for my kids?

  • Hold the door for a stranger walking in behind me.
  • Be kind to waitstaff and service professionals – especially when it’s inconvenient.
  • Apologize and seek forgiveness when I’ve been unkind or wrong.
  • Perform random acts of generosity, like paying for the Starbucks order in line behind me.
  • Turn the other cheek when others are blatantly rude.
  • Donate, tithe and support causes important to me.

What would you add for yourself?

Be Kind When It Counts

When something is inconvenient or challenging for us, that’s when our response counts the most. Our kids are looking to see what we do. They are watching our actions and behavior, even if we think they don’t notice. Of course we will falter and fail in our efforts. Convenience, anger or laziness will take precedence. I’ll lose my temper in traffic. Again! But humbling myself, making amends and righting the moral ship also counts. Our children will learn kindness, but also how to be kind to themselves in the process.

Let’s strive to be kind when the stakes are high.

Let’s have our actions mirror our words.

Only then can we ask the same of our kids.

2 Comments

Erin Ammons

About Erin Ammons

Erin Ammons is an ENFP (extrovert) married to a very patient ISTJ (introvert). She’s the mom of two, spirited little girls and the owner of Erin Ammons Photography. Most days she can be found photographing families around Virginia Beach and secretly vacuuming up Legos. She loves fresh journals, bookmarks and cherry Twizzlers.

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Comments

  1. AvatarJennica says

    October 18, 2018 at 1:32 pm

    This made me tear up! I do think these little actions are what really build up the character of our kids. Thanks for the encouragement that I might be setting a good example for my kids even though I struggle with some of the same things you mentioned!

    Reply
    • ErinErin says

      October 19, 2018 at 6:57 am

      Thank you for reading! Yes, I agree, it’s in the mess we get those opportunities to teach our kids AND learn from the experience.

      Reply

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If you are looking at enjoying a more minimalistic holiday, be sure to check out the latest from the blog for some great tips and tricks for finding balance and peace this year. Just click the link in our bio @mommyconvos ⁣
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We believe mothers can change the world and that happens one conversation at a time. Snag our free "Summer Resources" E-book below 💕🏡

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Christmas is less than a week away. And if you hav Christmas is less than a week away. And if you haven’t read any of these adorable books – I highly suggest all of them. “But it’s too late!” You might be thinking and slightly panicking.... nonsense! ⠀
•⠀
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In fact, this post is perfectly timed to prepare you for your final purchases this weekend or even, Christmas book clearance time. 🥳 When Christmas is over I’m certain many of these books will go on sale. (Insert happy deal shoppers dance here! 💃🏼 🛍) •⠀
•⠀
So, I suggest you look for these books today to add to your library for the next holiday season. 🎁🎅🏻 ⠀
•⠀
•⠀
Head to our stories to see Morgan talk about some of her favorites, click the link in our bio for the Christmas book article or to shop all of our fav books- click on the Amazon link. ⠀
•⠀
• What holiday book is your favorite to read with your kids?
Morgan here- I’m all about planning ahead, espec Morgan here- I’m all about planning ahead, especially for the biggest holiday of the year, but I forget one small detail... the stockings. 🙈😑 Please tell me i’m not the only one? 
•
•
Last night the hubby and I finished our Christmas shopping and I can finally put the wallet away. I’m certain we’re done- I hope. I should probably check my stash to be sure! 🙈
•
•
Sharing today our list of fun non-toy stocking stuffers you can snag before it’s too late! Head to our @mommyconvos bio for the details! 
•
•
So, here’s the next question: do you Christmas shop for the family by yourself? (❤️) Or do you team up with your spouse? (❤️💚) Leave the colored heart that best describes you- below!
Hi friends! We hope that you are having an amazing Hi friends! We hope that you are having an amazing week and are having a blast gearing up for the holidays ahead. With 2020 coming to an end, we can all relate to how tough this year has been. However, the initial tendency as a parent might be to overspend in an effort to compensate for whatever did or didn't happen in 2020. ⁣
⁣
LET ME GIVE YOU THIS REASSURANCE, MOMMAS- it is NOT necessary to buy more during the holidays in order to compensate for whatever you feel your children lacked this year. ❤ ⁣
⁣
Instead, we highly suggest minimizing your Christmas stress by implementing a minimalistic mindset each year, but this year in particular. This year has blessed us with the specific opportunity to tune in and be more mindful of those you love, just like our Savior does for us. So take this time to BE more present instead of spending extra cash on gifts. We promise it will be absolutely worth it. ⁣
⁣
If you are looking at enjoying a more minimalistic holiday, be sure to check out the latest from the blog for some great tips and tricks for finding balance and peace this year. Just click the link in our bio @mommyconvos ⁣
⁣
How are you prepping for the holidays that are a little different than in previous years? 🎁🎄
Recently, my social media feed is full of #givetha Recently, my social media feed is full of #givethanks gratitude posts Oh how I love the change of focus! My list of gratitude is oh so long, my faith and my family are the top of my list, but also is good literature. Goodness, life is so much better with good books!  I love discovering new holiday books, and this year I found several now books to add to our collection. 
•
•
“Thanksgiving is here”- playfully illustrates the joys and chaos of large families gathering for Thanksgiving dinner. And when company leaves- how exhausted the hosts feel. Something as a mom I totally sympathize with. 😂
•
•
Another delight Thanksgiving book addition to our library this year is, “T-is for Thankful”. @babylit has done it again! Creating the cutest illustrated book centered around all the alphabetical great and small things to be thankful for this year.
•
•
Last year I shared our review on “Bad kitty does not like Thanksgiving” and this book is hilarious! Check out our Insta-stories for the awesome video review on this and other of our favorite Thanksgiving books.
•
•
Do you have a favorite thanksgiving book? Please share below so we can continue to learn from each other! Happy holidays friends. 🦃 🥧 Morgan and Tiffaynee
Today I’ve felt anxious. I know i’m not the on Today I’ve felt anxious. I know i’m not the only one feeling this way with the impending presidential announcement... so how do we handle feeling off, anxious or depressed? One of the best things you can do -right this moment- give a hug. Cuddle close to a loved one and hold one another. Breathe deep. And hug for another breath. And hopefully you’ll slowly feel that anxiety release. And feel free to cuddle longer. 😘
•
•
Sending a warm hug your way friend. 
❤️Tiff.
“When my daughter passed away unexpectedly at 10 “When my daughter passed away unexpectedly at 10 months old, my heart shattered. I was beyond broken… I was shattered beyond repair.⁣
⁣
They say it takes a “village” to raise a child…⁣
⁣
At that moment my “village” is what kept me alive…”⁣
•⁣
•⁣
@momma.hutch is 1 of every 4 women in the United States alone, who are affected by infertility or infant loss, or both. Mallory shares her brave story of dear Mackenzie’s passing and the journey she and her family are still going through. In this article Mallory  offers 10 invaluable and thoughtful ways to help a grief-stricken friend and we couldn’t agree more with her list. ⁣
•⁣
•⁣
To read her article- click @mommyconvos link in our bio. If you are a mother currently going through the grieving process- our deepest condolences and a virtual hug sent your way. We encourage you to check out Mallory‘s amazing supportive Instagram group: ... ⁣
•⁣
•⁣
When you are sad what is the one thing that cheers you up? I’ll give you a hint what mine is in the comments. 😍
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