5/16/08

Respectful Girls

Do you ever speak or act disrespectfully toward your Mom?” I asked the girls at Balcony Girls last week, as we were finishing making layered Friendship Soup mix in a jar as Mother’s Day gifts for the girls’ Moms.

All of the girls agreed that at times they fall into disrespect. But they really listened as I explained what respect is. Treating others the way you want to be treated. Listening without interrupting. Not pressuring the other person. Communicating and giving each other space. Taking another’s feelings into consideration. Trying to understand a different viewpoint. Trust and honesty and friendship!

As we indulged in soda floats outside, and played BINGO, our lesson came in to play when we discussed “disrespect.”

I challenged the girls to CATCH THEMSELVES, and STOP, the next time they are disrespectful to their Mothers. We role-played different scenarios that included being disobedient, begging, manipulating, rolling eyes, pouting and talking back.

Relating to these ways, each girl agreed again that they had fallen into the trap of disrespect.

So we went over our Balcony Girls' mission statement! Respect is building a person up, and not tearing down!

Yes, another impacting life lesson was learned last week at Balcony Girls, and I even overheard the girls singing Aretha Franklin’s R-E-S-P-E-C-T song!

(The girls made a jar of “dinner” for their Moms for Mother’s Day. Layering “Friendship Soup” in a jar, and personalizing and writing a special note for their Mom, they were excited to present this special gift, in a bag, on Mother’s Day.)

16 comments:

~nanashouse~ said...

I've decided I want to live next door to you and become a balcony girl (old lady) :-)

I just love your ideas!

Jen said...

I agree....I want to come live next to you too. You are a true blessing to these girls...God Bless You Sandy!

OKGardners said...

I agree! You are teaching these young girls a very valuable lesson each time you get together. More folks should get involved with younger ones to mentor them to a better way of life.

I love the Soup idea for Mother's Day gifts, too. You are the best and have great ideas!

Betty in Oklahoma

Kathleen Grace said...

Thank you for the wonderful ideas on lessons and mentoring that you give! They are ideas we can use.

GiBee said...

What a sweet gift, and what a great lesson!

Tammy said...

The others beat me to it..I was going to say the same thing about my girls joining your Balcony Girls club! :)

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Michelle @ Sew-Krafty said...

You are going to share the "Friendship Soup" recipie, aren't you?!

Donnetta said...

When I first opened this I had to scroll down immediately to read about what was in the jars. What a unique and special gift!

We have been having similiar discussions in our house about respect, tone of voice, choice of words, etc.

As always, your lesson and words are very applicable to everyday!

linda t said...

Me too! I want to be a Balcony Girl... or your best friend!!
Sandy, you are making such a difference in those girls lives... and also for those of us out here in blogdom.
Thanks!

~j~ said...

sigh...add me to the list of wannabe Balcony Girls,i will drive all day to get to the first meeting! Such a beautifu and important lesson for all of us.
Great lesson Sandy!

mamashine said...

Yup, me too. I want to be a balcony girl and have my daughter be one too.

And we LOVE friendship soup around here! My four year old actually licks her bowl. I never thought something with lentils in it could be so tasty. :)

Rebekah said...

That is so awesome! What a great way to teach the girls. So creative and fun and inspiring!

Kirstin said...

I decided the same thing as Nana's house. I'd love to be your neighbor and our girls are similar ages mine are 12 and 9.

What a great lessson, and one that has to be discussed all the time.

dawn klinge said...

What a great lesson. My daughter made me one of those soup mix jars for Christmas and I loved it.

Jamie {See Jamie blog} said...

How wonderful! I will have to spend more time at your blog for some wonderful ideas! I have only recently begun to show hospitality as I know I should, so I'm still new to it and can definitely use more ideas. My biggest problem is that I tend to want everything "perfect" and that just isn't gonna happen!

Andrea said...

What a fun gift for the girls' mom's. And a great lesson on respect.

Can you teach my girls that lesson? :)