Take the 'no complaining' challenge
Categories: Kids 5-7, Development, Media
Last week, I saw this article in my local paper about a pastor in Kansas City, Missouri who asked his flock to swear off complaining for three weeks. No criticizing, gossiping or use of sarcasm for 21 days. Since then, his no-complaining campaign has spread and his Christ Church Unity has been inundated with with requests for little purple bracelets that read "A Complaint Free World". Similar to those yellow Livestrong bracelets everyone was wearing last year, the no-complaints bracelets are intended to remind wearers of their pledge to stop complaining. If you slip up, you switch the bracelet to the other wrist and start your 21-day count over.
Ellie has a tendency to complain a lot, which she probably learned from me. We've been talking about her negativity a lot lately, but nothing seems to stick. She listens, she gets it, she promptly returns to her bad habits. So, when I read about this bracelet, I thought I'd would try it. The church is giving away the bracelets for free, but asks for a donation. I have asked them to send me two - one for me and one for Ellie.
It's going to take 3-5 weeks for the bracelets to arrive. In the meantime, whenever Ellie starts complaining, I just say 'bracelet' and she stops. That's progress, at least.
Ellie has a tendency to complain a lot, which she probably learned from me. We've been talking about her negativity a lot lately, but nothing seems to stick. She listens, she gets it, she promptly returns to her bad habits. So, when I read about this bracelet, I thought I'd would try it. The church is giving away the bracelets for free, but asks for a donation. I have asked them to send me two - one for me and one for Ellie.
It's going to take 3-5 weeks for the bracelets to arrive. In the meantime, whenever Ellie starts complaining, I just say 'bracelet' and she stops. That's progress, at least.
Recent Posts
- Weekend Fun and Games (7/03/2009)
- Kids and Extracurriculars - When Do You Let Them Quit? (7/03/2009)
- Twitter Follow Friday on ParentDish! (7/03/2009)
- Lush Lashes (7/03/2009)
- Abigail Breslin Makes $13 a Week (7/03/2009)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lacy 5-08-2007 @ 1:16PM
oh my gosh....I wouldn't be able to make it 10 minutes.
Reply
Amanda 5-08-2007 @ 2:07PM
I don't think I would last either, but its definitely something to strive for!!! neat idea!
Reply
KC 5-08-2007 @ 9:40PM
OK, the complaint thing I get, but sarcasm? A world without sarcasm would be very dull indeed.
Reply
debra 5-19-2007 @ 7:45AM
My oldest daughter, now 19, once made a sign which she posted in the kitchen. There were 2 arrows pointing at each other. Text read: Complaint Department, 500,000,000 miles.
I used to tell my kids to "Get angry, get happy, get sad, but puleeze d-o-n'-t whine!!!!
http://www.FromSkilledHands.com
Keeping the Faith thatArt is Alive and an Essential Part of All our Lives
Reply