Silly Bandz

Have you seen the newest craze with the kids? They are called Silly Bandz. Remember the plasticky friendship bracelets we wore as kids? These are the same thing only with a stretchier material that let them be shaped like animals, food, dollar signs, dinosaurs, etc. They are a BIG deal with the young kids, specifically ones named Tess and Kate.

They have each had two packages purchased for them......one by Andy as a "thank you for being so good" gift while my back was a broke down mess, and one by my SIL Missy who is generous beyond belief with my girls. (I soooo have been keeping track so I can return the favor for my future nieces/nephews!) Anywhooo, they love them and play with them, and have begun to obsess over them. Seriously. To the extent of tears and harsh words when they think other sister has one more than them.

There are few things that ruffle my feathers more than when my children aren't thankful. Whether it is in words, expressions, body language, or actions......when my kids don't convey an attitude of gratitude, I lose my cool. It doesn't happen often, because we start the training early in this house :) but it does happen. Unfortunately, these Silly Bandz were called "those @*#@%# bracelets" by me on more than one occasion. Okay, so back to my point(finally, I know)

After hearing the squabbles and crying over who had more bracelets, I decided it was time for a teaching moment. I said that I was tired of the fighting/crying, that I hadn't heard nearly enough gratitude for the # of bracelets that they already had, and I was hearing the word "more" way too much. I explained that in my mind, the concept of these bracelets, and what it says on the outside of the dang package, is that these are for sharing and trading. SHARING and trading. "In my mind, the more bracelets you have, the fewer people you are trying to share with, and that is sad" I lecture to them one evening. And then I challenge them to see who can give away more bracelets/trade more bracelets with their friends. Who doesn't love a challenge?

I am happy to report that after a few days and several missed opportunities, each girl has given some bracelets away. Here are the examples I have witnessed. I am sharing, because I am a proud mom and it is my blog.
-Both girls have given a bracelet to each of their grandparents without later asking for it back :)
-They have come home from VBS and swim lessons with traded bracelets from friends.
-I have seen both girls offer to given them to other kids, but the kids didn't want them for various reasons.....but at least they tried!
-Kate was at the Target in Liberty when the check-out girl commented on how cool Kate's silly bandz were(Kate was wearing 20+bracelets). Kate was thrilled that the girl noticed and then to my surprise(and JOY) she says "Do you want one?" to which the girl was equally as excited. Kate let the girl choose her own (a big deal as both girls were initially stingy with which ones they were willing to give away) and was smiling from ear to ear the entire time. The lady in the line behind us was smiling, the check out girl was smiling and complimentary, and this mom was about to cry/shout to the heavens. I really want my girls to experience JOY by bringing JOY to others. Sometimes it's hard to do, but can be so worth it.

I heart JOY.