Splink | Selfless Living

Opposites

While driving in the car, play the “Opposite” game. Say a word and the others will have to say the opposite of the word. (Whoever guesses it, can think of a new word.) After playing awhile, start the discussion on selfish and selfless.

What does it mean to be selfish/selfless? (A selfish person is often proud; thinks he/she is better than others; must have their own way; not willing to share; etc. A selfless person is the opposite—he/she listens to others; is humble; thinks of others; is kind; is helpful; etc.)

Read the statements below (or make up your own) and decide whether a selfish or a selfless person would say it.

• I want to be first or I won’t play.
• You can pick the TV show you want to watch.
• You can go in front of me if you like.
• I’m glad you won. You tried hard.
• I’m the best!
• She doesn’t dress very nice. Don’t play with her.
• The team worked together and I’m happy we won.
• I get the last piece of dessert!
• I don’t have to listen to you. You don’t know anything.
• I will help you with your homework, if you like.

I Can Top That

While reading in the car or sitting around the dinner table, play a game of “I Can Top That!”

Start off by making an outlandish statement (I can wrestle an alligator) and the next person will have to top that statement (Oh yeah, I can wrestle five alligators). Make it a silly game—a pretend game. Encourage them to use their imaginations!

This was just a pretend, silly game, but we can sometimes do that when others tell us something good that happened to them. For example: A friend might say, “I went on vacation to the lake.” And I chime in and say, “That’s nothing, I went on vacation to the Grand Canyon.”

Ask:

How do you feel when you share good news and someone tries to “top” it?

Who are we thinking of when we try to “top” what others say?

What can you say when others tell you good news? (I’m glad; that sounds fun/neat/awesome; Wow; that’s great; etc.)

You did what?!

Brainstorm ways to serve and think of others. Write each act on a slip of paper and collect them in jar. (There are tons of ideas on Pinterest. One that might be helpful: http://mylifeandkids.com/random-acts-of-kindness-for-kids/)

Here are just a few:

• Smile at 3 people.
• Let someone go ahead of you at the check-out line in the grocery store.
• Ask the clerk what her favorite candy bar is and buy it for her.
• Eat lunch with someone who may not have many friends.
• Hold the door open for someone.
• Leave a kind note in a library book for the next person who reads it.
• Make and mail a card to an elderly person.
• Share a toy.
• Help without being asked.
• Leave a treat (or nice note) in the mailbox for your mail carrier.

Ask each family member to do good works every day this week. Every night at dinner, let each family member share what they did.