Welcome to the 30-Day Kindness Challenge!

The 30-Day Kindness Challenge Starts Tomorrow!

Thank you for doing the 30-Day Kindness Challenge with us. We start tomorrow!

Most reminder emails are very short. This one, however, will share a few reminders and tips.

How to do the Challenge

If you haven't already, pick a child or step-child with whom you want a better relationship. For 30 days:

1. Say nothing negative/negatively about your child—either to them or about them to somebody else. When it is necessary to provide important correction or discipline, be constructive, helpful and encouraging, without a negative tone. ("That tone of voice doesn't reflect the mutual respect we value in our home. Rewind, and try that again please.")

2. Every day (or as often as possible), find one thing that you can sincerely praise or affirm about your child and tell them, and tell someone else. (i.e. "Jasmine, I really appreciate you keeping your skates put away in the garage like I asked, so that nobody trips on them." Resist the urge to mention that she hasn't put her athletic bag away yet.)

3. Every day (or as often as possible), do one small act of kindness or generosity for your child. Do a chore that he/she usually does each week. Pick up a special treat. Offer to take him/her out for a donut or ice cream for some one-on-one time. Watch that online video they asked you to watch – even though you don't have time.

About the emails

Each day you will receive an email with optional daily tips and ideas. Customize as appropriate for your situation, or come up with something totally different. Just remember: the Challenge is to do all three elements (above) each day, whether or not you use the daily tips!

Five Success Strategies

• Get a group together. The journey is better together; get a group of friends, a small group, or a book club to do the Challenge. See our FREE group resources here.

• Get the book. Start off strong: make sure you know your key blind spots and strengths in The Kindness Challenge by Shaunti Feldhahn. How are you negative with your child without realizing it? Which of your kindness strengths will most touch his or her heart?

• Use a notebook. As you go, capture in a personal journal, notebook, or device, the key actions you take, how your child reacts, what works well, and what doesn't. This is a key learning tool. It will also give you great reminders and ideas as you go.

• Create a gift journal. If you like (especially for an older child), secretly buy a simple gift journal and each day record in it the words of affirmation you will be saying each day. Then wrap it up and give it to your child as a special gift after the Challenge is over.

• Find out your Kindness Quotient. Before you start, find out your Kindness Quotient and a few key things you need to work on, via this brief online assessment.

Ready to start? Look for the Day 1 email tomorrow. And thanks for joining us in this journey to improve our relationships, our culture—and ourselves.