In our community, school professionals are teaching children about being a bucket-filler. A bucket-filler fills someone else’s bucket by being kind, doing things for that person, or even with a smile. A bucket-dipper basically does the opposite. For more on bucket-filling: http://www.bucketfillers101.com/
We really do influence others positively or negatively by our actions- children and adults alike. It can sometimes take a conscious awareness to be a bucket-filler. My kids are really getting it- especially my five year-old. He came home with lots of "I love yous" for me the day it was taught at school, and I let him know that he was filling my bucket.
Here is a conversation my boys had not long after learning about bucket-filling:
"Mom, Mr. Ron [the school custodian] is not a stranger. He’s always smiling and he says ‘hi’ to me."
"He works at the school, and we know him."
"He is so nice."
"Mr. Ron is a bucket-filler."
As parents, we strengthen our children when we fill their buckets. We fill their buckets by celebrating their accomplishments, letting them know what their strengths are, and by being generous with hugs and smiles.
There are many avenues to go with this concept. You can be creative with it. You can put buckets out and fill them by writing down nice comments and/or actions. A friend of mine actually drew buckets with a washable marker on her refrigerator.
The nice thing about the bucket-filling concept is that in reality, we all need bucket-filling. Bucket-filling keeps us going. When the bucket is empty, it’s harder to deal with the challenges that come our way. When we fill other peoples’ buckets, they tend to fill our buckets too (but it is best to bucket fill without expectations).
This is an important concept to think about when it comes to marriage. Marriage and raising a family is hard work. Both spouses work to support the home and the children. It is not unusual for spouses to forget to fill each others’ buckets in the process (sometimes we dip the bucket). It can take a conscious effort to fill a spouse’s bucket, and a worthwhile effort it is.
Please share your stories about bucket-filling here.
