I had one. I know. It’s amazing because it’s so very, very rare.
Last night I did the Valentine’s dinner, with a little something that was each person’s favorite. That by no means should be misinterpreted to say that everyone liked everything on the table. But everyone ate. And everyone loves stuffed mushrooms. Isn’t that funny?
So while Kids and Husband cleaned up dinner, I snuck upstairs and finished up the object lesson for Family Night. Which went a little something like this.
I put 5 wrapped gifts on the ottoman that serves as coffee table/laundry central. They all had the same wrapping paper (plain white – who knew such a thing was possible?) and a different ribbon (so I could remember what was inside). Then I told everyone to pick one. To pick THE BEST one for them.
Grabbery ensued.
Not really. They all picked until there was only one left, which Kid 4 gave to Husband. Then I asked them how they chose. One kid said that this bow was the best color. So I said, “Good. You chose based on appearance. Okay.” Which made her glance around with a perfect, guilty look on her face. Someone else said, “This one is the one everyone would have chosen if I hadn’t chosen it first.” And I said, “Good. You chose what would make everyone else jealous.” Then, “This one was closest to me.” Which I loved, because it let me say, “Oh, great. I’m glad you didn’t have to do any work for yours.” Husband said, “I didn’t choose.” “Okay. Complacency. Excellent.”
Within two minutes I had them all rethinking their choice.
Ha.
Then I said, “What kind of information would make you sure your choice was right? What if I told you that one of these things cost very little money? One I had to go a specific place to find. One, I searched and searched for. One I could get anywhere. One of these things wouldn’t do most of you any good.” But I didn’t tell them which. I let them sweat for another few minutes. It was great to see them worried about their decision.
Then I brought it home. I told them that Heavenly Father wants to give them gifts. He has gifts for them, and knows what is best. He’s ready to tell them which gifts are best for them if they’re willing to listen.
Then I asked Kid 3 if she would pass her gift over to Kid 1. She did, and was left empty-handed for a minute. I said maybe three more thoughtful things about the Lord’s good gifts (including the part about how sometimes it may feel like everyone has a gift but you, and you need to trust that there is enough to go around) and then orchestrated the hand-off. Everyone was left holding the proper gift, I told them again that God wants to give them the gifts that are right for each of them right now, and let them open their Valentine’s presents.
And there was much rejoicing.
Hey, it doesn’t happen often*, but when it works, we rejoice.
*Clarification: Family Night happens often. Every Monday night. Successful object lessons? Much harder to come by.
(14) Comments for this blog
What a wonderful lesson!
What a wonderful lesson!
Genius. And I’m not saying that flippantly at all, it really is.
Oh, and I’m totally stealing it, by the way.
Genius. And I’m not saying that flippantly at all, it really is.
Oh, and I’m totally stealing it, by the way.
So impressive. You are a good mom. I would aspire to be more like you, but we were too busy playing our own version of Minute to Win It, making tall towers of conversation hearts. (Try it with chopsticks!) I will however, steal your object lesson for a future night. FHE is FHE, right?
So impressive. You are a good mom. I would aspire to be more like you, but we were too busy playing our own version of Minute to Win It, making tall towers of conversation hearts. (Try it with chopsticks!) I will however, steal your object lesson for a future night. FHE is FHE, right?
That’s a great lesson…I’m not sure my littler ones would get it yet…but I’m filing this idea away to use at a later date. Thanks for sharing!
That’s a great lesson…I’m not sure my littler ones would get it yet…but I’m filing this idea away to use at a later date. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely brilliant. One of these days I’ll tell you the “TV dominates our lives” object lesson that our kids still talk about. Once in a very great while, we get it right.
(BTW, I’m enjoying BBM right now! Thank you for your wonderful gift!)
Absolutely brilliant. One of these days I’ll tell you the “TV dominates our lives” object lesson that our kids still talk about. Once in a very great while, we get it right.
(BTW, I’m enjoying BBM right now! Thank you for your wonderful gift!)
Two things.
Firstly, I am such a child that I’m disappointed you didn’t divulge what was in the gifts.
Second, did you come up with that yourself? Or copy it off of Sugardoodle.net? ‘Cause I’m totally copying it off of you.
Two things.
Firstly, I am such a child that I’m disappointed you didn’t divulge what was in the gifts.
Second, did you come up with that yourself? Or copy it off of Sugardoodle.net? ‘Cause I’m totally copying it off of you.
What an excellent lesson. I love when those moments happen. (Still drinking green smoothies every day, btw.)
What an excellent lesson. I love when those moments happen. (Still drinking green smoothies every day, btw.)