Easter is about a month away, and I wanted to do something to really promote kindness and service both within the walls of our own home, and outside of them, so this week I created a Bunny Tail Service Jar. It’s a way of teaching my children that Easter is more than bunnies and colored eggs, and focusing on what it really means to us. I’m hoping it will also help my kids be kinder to each other, look for ways to help each other, and create more peace in our home.
I’ve been thinking about doing something for awhile, but after the last couple of weeks, I knew it needed to be now, and the timing was impeccable.
Let’s get real for a minute, shall we?
Kids fight. At least they do at our house. Recently I’ve felt like it was even more than usual, and we’ve had lots of sentence writing going on.
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Service begins in the home, and when we can serve our family, we can serve others.
The idea is simple.
I started with a clear glass jar , and added a cute pink vinyl bunny that I cut out with my Silhouette Cameo. You could really use any jar or container—a pail or large mason jar would be cute too! If you don’t have a Silhouette, you could always use a sticker, or add a tag around the top if you plan to use the jar for something else later. It doesn’t have to be fancy–the jar doesn’t matter, it’s what you do with it!
I gathered a bunch of cotton balls (the bunny tails!), and put them in a ziplock bag, so they would be ready to add to our jar.
Whenever someone does an act of service, the person that was served gets to put a cotton ball in the jar. If it’s an act of service outside our home, then the kids tell me or their dad about it, and we put a cotton ball in the jar. It’s a great topic of conversation around the dinner table, and we can talk about how they felt, and what the results were.
Once the jar is filled, we get to make a special treat together!
It’s only been a couple of days since we started, and I have to say there has been a vast difference already. I’ve seen kids pitching in to help someone put away the dishes because they’re running late for the bus, to surprising someone with a made bed, to reading extra stories to a younger sibling while I’m making dinner–it’s been wonderful to see them thinking of each other, and how they can help. The result of that service is that the person who was served then feels special, and thankful, and is much kinder when an incident comes up. I’m looking forward to the next month, and we may even go longer than that!
It takes just a few minutes to prepare the service jar, but the effects can be life-lasting. I’m so glad for our Bunny Tail Service Jar!
Lori Mapes says
Love this idea Kierste! We have similar issues between my two – sibling rivalry. I’m going to give this a try. :)
Pauline says
I think this is a wonderful idea, I’ll have to tell my children to do this with their children, I will re-inforce it at my house. My two grandchildren are 5 & 6 they are always fighting when they are over my house, I try to talk to them and I don’t think it always works.
Simply Kierste Design Co. says
You’ll have to let me know how it goes!! xoxo
Betty says
This is so cute and so smart….love it!
Simply Kierste Design Co. says
Thank you so much, Betty! xoxo
Kathy A. says
I LOVE THIS IDEA; I WAS WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE “REWARD” IS GOING TO BE. HAVE YOU FIGURED THAT OUT YET? WE DO SOME SERVICE WORK IN OUR TINY SUNDAY SCHOOL AND IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME HOW MUCH EVERYONE (INCLUDING AN ADULT DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED GROUP HOME) LOVES TO MAKE CAT TOYS FOR THE LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER, RICE PACKS FOR A LOCAL NURSING HOME, STUFFING THE SAMARITAN’S PURSE SHOEBOXES, ETC.
Simply Kierste Design Co. says
I’m so sorry, I must not have made it stand out enough. When the jar is full, we go do so something fun as a family, or make a special treat! Nothing fancy, but they love it!
Christina Olvera says
Hi! My question is very different! I wanted to know about the Silhouette Cameo. My cricut is dying after 7 years of use. I wanted to ask a few questions and you’re the first person that came to mind. Are you able to easily create designs or phrases on your computer and cut them with the Cameo? I wasn’t able to do this with the Cricut and want to make sure I have that feature with whatever machine I buy.
Thank you so much,
Christina
Simply Kierste Design Co. says
Christina, I’m glad you asked! This is actually my very favorite thing about the Cameo, because their software is amazing, and the sky truly is the limit. The software is downloaded to your computer (not online based), and there is a huge library of designs should you wish to use them. You have access to every font on your computer, and you can also turn jpg and png images into cut files. There is a designer version of the software and even a business edition, which give you even more options. Anything I want to do, I’ve been able to do! If you have any other questions, please let me know!!