As you know, if you’ve been reading, for quite some time, I’ve occasionally been running little installments called “Mama’s K.I.S.S.” I know that lots of readers could give many more and far more creative ideas than I can offer, but these installments are just a few tried and true and mostly old-fashioned ideas for putting service hearts in our kids. This is number 76 of a list of one hundred ways we train our kids to serve. K.I.S.S. is an acronym for “Kids In Service Suggestions”.
I remember being in middle school when I was growing up in the Adamsville, Alabama church of Christ. I doubt that any adult guided Laura and Marsha as they did this, but rather, I think they took it upon themselves to sort of mentor a group of three middle school girls. I’m 65 years old and I still fondly remember the outings, sleepovers and service projects that these older (11th-12th grade) Christian girls planned for us. Laura’s parents owned a small apartment complex and they would let us have a vacant one for our sleepovers. Those were the days. These very cool (and godly) teenagers took time for us; and we (the middle-schoolers) thought we had arrived.
You should encourage your high school daughters to do this. They can be game-changers in the worlds of kids who are younger. Specifically, if your teens know how to cook, put together a little cooking class on a Saturday afternoon and just let the “older”s instruct the “younger”s as the group prepares just one dish or cake or pie. Make it for a specific service project: for a widow visit, a hospital waiting room delivery or a fire station appreciation gift. Let the older girls drive the younger ones to deliver. This is a first taste of service independently from parents, but what a great way to launch out.
Alternately, do the same thing if your teen girls know how to sew or embroider or crochet. Gather the needed tools and get together in the fellowship hall or at home. Let the “older”s share the skill with “younger”s and then deliver together. Middle school is a tough time and, for some, it can get a bit dark–even depressing. If you are an older teen girl or if you are the mom who can encourage an older teen girl to be a blessing to those just three or four years behind, by all means, reach out! It takes minimal organization and a little time. Possibly, the people who will thank you most are the moms of those middle-school girls.
I said that I doubted that Marsha and Laura were directed by any adult. But now that I think back about it, it could have been my own mother, trying to get me through some challenging days, who suggested to the older girls that they “take us under their wing.” My mom was the 5th and 6th grade girls’ Bible class teacher. She could have very well put the bug in the ears of those older girls, who had also been in her class a few short years before. My mom was creative like that! You can be, too!
