February 2020
Welcome to our monthly newsletter for families at WSPC!

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. —Psalm 127:3
Parenting Tips
From Your Favorite Neighbor

In the year 1968, Presbyterian minister Fred Rogers decided to forgo traditional ministry work to start a venture into the emerging world of television. He wanted to help address the age-old struggle for value and identity. By combining his studies from seminary, child developmental psychology, and media, Mister Rogers set out to create a neighborhood where kids could be reminded of God’s love for them and the value that they had not from their performance, but from being a child of God.

I grew up with the lovable, beloved neighbor — Mr. Rogers. Beyond his world of make-believe and story-telling, he taught me that I was special just the way I was. Throughout my parenting journey, I’ve found myself remembering nuggets from his show. From simple truth bombs about kindness, love, and helping others, to messages about being yourself and learning to forgive yourself when you don't win or aren't "perfect" all of the time, Rogers was amazing at translating the best parts of the human experience into words children could understand. And the show wasn't just for kids, either, but for their parents, too. 

On Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, he took us on adventures, teaching us not only about the world around us but about the person inside each and every one of us. No matter where Trolley took us, Rogers never stopped reminding us that our feelings were important and part of what made us who we were — someone he liked, no matter what.

It's so important that we, as parents, learn to let go of unreachable goals, love ourselves, and understand that it's OK to make mistakes (this is the hardest thing for me). It's also important that we recognize that our kids aren't perfect either, but their imperfections don't keep them from being special. Fred Rogers also taught us that it's important to play pretend, and we should definitely give our kids permission to use their imaginations every single day. Above all else, we should teach our kids to be kind — to others, to the people in their neighborhood, and to the world.

—Stacy Kutz
Youth, Young Adult, Outreach Minister
Here are a 10 of my favorite Mr. Rogers quotes:

“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say, 'It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.' Then, there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”
It takes a village to raise a child, grow a community, and keep our world more good than bad. Rogers saw all of us as potential superheroes in this regard.

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'"
Mr. Rogers gave us a constant reminder to look for those who are always willing to help in times of trouble, renewing our faith in humanity when it feels at its lowest.

"I'm proud of you for the times you came in second, or third, or fourth, but what you did was the best you have ever done."
You don't have to be best to be good. An important message for our kids and us parents, too.

"To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.”
Rogers tells us to accept other people and ourselves just the way we are.

"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood."
Take time to play, and make sure your kids get some play time each and every day. It is, after all, their "job," according to Rogers.

"Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else."
Things like your baby turning 1, or your preschooler starting Kindergarten, can make it seem like your kids grow impossibly fast. Rogers knew that each age and stage had the potential to bring a new beginning.

"In the external scheme of things, shining moments are as brief as the twinkling of an eye, yet such twinklings are what eternity is made of — moments when we human beings can say, 'I love you,' 'I'm proud of you,' 'I forgive you,' 'I'm grateful for you.' That's what eternity is made of: invisible imperishable good stuff."
Parenthood is full of moments like these, and every parent should find ways to tell their kids things like these at least once a day.

"You can't really love someone else unless you really love yourself first."
Rogers' message is simple: you deserve love. If you don't love yourself, and take care of yourself, it's easy to burn out, and to not be the best parent you can be.

"Being able to resolve conflicts peacefully is one of the greatest strengths we can give our children."
Instead of intervening, or fighting our kids' battles, it might be better to give them the skills they need to manage conflict on their own. Considering that most adults haven't mastered this skill, Rogers is probably right.

"There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind."
It’s always a beautiful day to be kind, and it’s a truism that a little kindness goes a long way. So today, choose kindness. Uplift others with your words. Find ways to serve your community. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word...Do what it says.” (NIV) Mister Rogers embodied the Gospel by loving his neighbors and sharing kindness. We can, too.
Leap Year Party | February 29
It’s a leap year, we have an extra day, so let’s spend it partying together! The Brenner’s will be hosting a Leap Year Party at their home on February 29.

Make sure to save the date.
29 Ways to Say I Love You
Leap Year fun! Simple ideas to infuse love into your family - one for each day of the month!

I do not believe you can over-love people. Sometimes it’s quiet and subtle, and other times it’s loud and, in my case, obnoxious. The ever-inspiring Bob Goff, author of Love Does, says, “Do not save up love like you’re trying to retire on it. Give it away like you are made of it.”

These 29 gestures are simply fun, memorable ways to infuse love into your family. Combine them with quiet, intimate moments of intentionality to fill your loved ones’ love tanks this month.

—Stacy
  1. Tell your children how much you absolutely adore being their mommy.
  2. Enter your child’s world for an afternoon. Let him teach you how to master Minecraft or perfect a cartwheel.
  3. Prioritize one-on-one time letting them know you adore being with them.
  4. Refer to your husband or wife as your boyfriend or girlfriend in front of your children. Watch them giggle.
  5. Leave love notes for your children on their pillows.
  6. When you are in the line to drop your child off at school, keep driving. Have a parent/child day doing all of your favorite things.
  7. Do something out of the ordinary with your child.
  8. Have your children write a list of what they love about their siblings, then exchange lists.
  9. Playfully tackle your little ones and smother them in kisses.
  10. Throw in some tickles for some extra fun (even if they are “too cool”).
  11. Look your loved ones in the eyes every time they speak.
  12. Accept their tea party invites.
  13. Talk about unconditional love. Explain that nothing your children ever do can make you love them any more or less than you do now.
  14. Leave “I love you” sticky notes in unexpected places.
  15. Call your mom or grandma, and thank her for the ways she has been a role model for you.
  16. Show up at school unexpectedly with a special lunch treat.
  17. Give them random “sneak attack” hugs.
  18. Have a girls’ day with your daughter and get your fingernails painted together.
  19. Leave sweet notes around your child’s room for them to discover.
  20. Share bed time “heart to hearts”. Climb into bed with them and say, let’s talk a bit. Let them ramble about anything and everything that crosses their mind.
  21. Tell your kids funny stories about when they were babies.
  22. When your child is talking back, model gentleness, kindness, grace and, most of all, love.
  23. Leave an encouraging note on your spouse’s laptop.
  24. Add a memorable touch to activities you are already doing together. 
  25. Suddenly stop everything and have a dance party.
  26. Send text messages throughout the day that each start with, “I love you because …”
  27. Ask your child what specific thing she would like you to do or say to fill her love tank.
  28. Send notes in their lunchboxes so they know you are thinking about them and excited to see them again.
  29. Love extravagantly, even when it’s hard - whether through a gentle whisper or heartfelt action.
WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | www.wspc.org