Livia’s cubby at school had a little note in it today. It read,

Livia got caught being good! Signed, [her teacher]… For helping another student!

I cheered on my daughter and she explained further that a friend’s pants were coming down and she helped her notice it. Liv has issues with falling pants, so it really was a kindness and help to her friend this afternoon.

When you are five years old and you have a hard time focusing and keeping yourself under control, it is a HUGE deal to be noticed for being good. And oh, how I love it that her teacher sees these good qualities and encourages them. I have been brought to tears more than once by the way Liv’s teachers “catch” her doing good and then praise her accordingly. There are just so many “No, don’t do thats” and “Quit touching thats” and “Move fasters” that a young child has to hear. It’s important that kids know what it is they are doing right in the midst of their days. I have to be reminded periodically to verbally rejoice and encourage my child.

In the same vein, I think it’s important that we tell our friends what it is that makes them special. Do you have a friend who listens to you drone on and on about your workday? Do you know someone who is particularly cheery when you’re not? Do you have a mom/sister/best friend who will come wash your dishes when you’re down? (Real life example with my mom last week–thank you, Mom!) Do you appreciate the way your friend sees beauty in the mundane? If so, figure out a way to send them a slip of encouragement.

There is snail mail, which I’ve particularly been craving lately. Anyone else crave a good newsy letter?

And then, there is Valentine’s Day. How cool would it be to send out notes of encouragement on a holiday that celebrates love?

I almost wrote that I’d get off my soapbox now, but ha! Who am I kidding? I’m a blogger. This is my soapbox! And I’m totally not getting off anytime soon.