Why I don't....

Take an obsessive amount of pictures of my kids: 

• Because I do not want them to think they are the center of the universe. 

Pictorially chronicle every act of kindness that I have my children do, and then display it in a public place for everyone to see:

• Would you stand out on a street corner handing out pictures of yourself doing something nice? Or go around Walmart telling everyone you met that you and your kids wrapped Christmas presents for the less fortunate? No! Make no mistake, Facebook and blogs are as much public places as face to face meetings. Sure you know everyone you are talking to, but bragging is bragging. And it's still bragging. 
• Kindness and good deeds should be an everyday part of your life. Not something you do with your kids once or twice a year on emotional holidays. I don't want my children to think that they are something special because they are being nice to others. I want them to grow up knowing that being kind and doing things for others is the way we should live all the time. 
• Also, I don't want them to think it's okay to brag about the good things that we do. Good works should speak for themselves, and if you are a Christian your reward should be God's pleasure with your actions. If you brag about your good works, then you already have your reward for them. 

Allow my kids to have a ridiculous amount of toys: 

• I really have tried to keep it under control, but people will keep giving them stuff! But our limited space has helped a lot. I've had to make them make some hard decisions about what to keep and what to give away. Why do I do this? Because I grew up with a hoarder. I am teaching my kids how to let go of things. I also want them to understand that there is not THING that you can't live without. It is very important to me that my children understand this from a young age. That things are just things, and hold no intrinsic value over us unless we let them.  

Compliment my children for every single thing:

• It's easy to spot those children who get praised for every little thing. Now, if my child draws me a picture, I say thank-you and give him/her a hug. I'm not talking about being ungrateful. But every action does not require affirmation. Save your praise for when they REALLY do SOMETHING and it will mean more. 

More coming...