One day last fall, I walked into my kitchen and found a flurry of activity. Crayons and paper were scattered about and uncapped markers were unceremoniously strewn across the floor. My older children were obviously involved in this craft but I wasn’t sure if I was pleased or upset.
“What in the world are you guys up to?”
My three year-old piped up. “Mom!!! Don’t look. We are making mailboxes.”
“Mailboxes, huh? What for?”
It was my five year old’s turn now. “So you can write us notes, Mom. Duh!”
I glance over at my 13-year-old son who is sheepishly working on his own mailbox.
“Cool! Are you going to write each other notes too?” I ask, hoping I’m not the only one required to fill their boxes.
“Of course!” says my 11-year-old daughter.
And all heads turned from me and focused on decorating boxes, writing notes and drawing pictures for one another. The children insisted I make a mailbox too, but since I was busy making dinner, they made one for me. Mailboxes were set by doorways and beds, with reminders to me that I had to write notes too.
When I went to bed that night, I smiled as I pulled out many notes declaring that I was the best because I made them dinner and pictures from my little ones who could not yet write. It filled my heart, and I spent half an hour writing notes to each of my children. It took some time, but gave me the opportunity to think about each child individually. I wrote to each child things I was proud of and what made me smile about them. I wrote notes to my children who could not read and knew their siblings would read to them. I was totally filled with love for my children as I delivered my notes to all seven mailboxes.
I promised myself at that moment that I would spend more time thinking about ways I love my children and spend less time being frustrated with them. It doesn’t always work, and our mailboxes have long since disappeared somewhere, but every so often when I find a note or a picture left on my desk by a child, I am reminded to take a moment to reciprocate. I will write a little note and slip it into a lunchbox or give an extra hug.
My children’s love notes have taught me that a little love can go a long way.
QUESTION: Have your children ever surprised you by initiating an activity that shows their love for each other and for you?
CHALLENGE: This week, slip a little love note into a lunch box, under a pillow, or on the bathroom mirror. You could even create Valentines mailboxes as a family (or use the ones the kids are already making for school) to hold your special notes to one another.
Photos courtesy of Stacey Meservy
You have an amazing family. They are so creative. I love the mailbox idea!
This is such a great idea. I love how brilliant kids can be and I love that you took the time to write them back. It is the little things like that that they will remember and will mean so much to them. I may have to give this a try at my house!