100 Acts of Kindness Project

My family is participating in the 100 Acts of Kindness Project. I think this is a great idea, particularly so soon after the Christmas period. Christmas is a lovely time for my kids but I find that we are left with a bit of a Christmas hangover – too much stuff and attention in a very short space of time. The Kindness Project has been a great way to focus on other people.

To record our acts of kindness I created a poster on a large sheet of black construction paper. I left room to draw a banner and divided the rest of the space into 100 numbered squares. This poster is taped to the wall in our family room. I have cut up 100 hearts from old wrapping paper, discarded paintings by Cakey and anything with a nice pattern or image that I had lying around. When one of us performs an act of kindness they are awarded with a paper heart to stick onto the poster. I also record what that act was in an exercise book. Here's a sample:

• Cakey helped her friend when she fell off her chair.
• Daddy took the girls out so mummy could have a peaceful sleep-in.
• Boo gave her friend a biscuit.
• Mummy let someone go in front of her in the supermarket shopping queue.

As you can see these acts are quite small but they have been a fantastic way to start a conversation about kindness.