by Kathy Scherrer, Kid’s Quest Parent

On Sunday, February 14th the KIDStuff crew performed with all the energy and excitement that we’ve grown to enjoy. It was football themed, since it was originally supposed to be delivered on Super Bowl Sunday. The dilemma in this show was that the neighborhood kids were getting ready for the highly competitive annual football game. The Tinkerbell’s secret weapon this year was their quarterback, whose performance was certain to gain the team’s first victory in nearly a decade. However, the star of the team couldn’t play because of an injury. The kids were so caught up in finding a solution on their own that they failed to realize that Mrs. F had played as quarterback during her high school days. Not only was she good, she was prize winning! They realized, in the nick of time, what was available to them. They ended up wining the big game!
Then the kids in the audience were told about Honor: Letting someone know you see how valuable they really are. The kids in the audience were told that they would each receive a medal to be given to anyone they wanted. However, they had to explain to the recipient why they were getting the medal. What was it about that person that makes him or her valuable?
I have to admit that the idea of giving away this medal was initially quite difficult for my five- and nine-year old daughters. They wanted to keep the medal for themselves. It gave their father and me the chance to do a reality check with the girls. We began by explaining that the medal wouldn’t be meaningful to them since it hadn’t been “awarded” to them for a specific reason. We then reminded them about how they are surrounded by some really special people that would get great joy from having someone recognize them for what they do. Then we waited.
I picked up my five-year old from day care on Monday evening, holding my breath to hear about her experience. She was so excited to tell me who she had given the medal to and how excited her friend was to receive it. She then said that all the other children wanted a medal as well.
My nine-year old had a similar experience. She awarded one of her closest friends for being very caring and very kind. This girl was so impressed that she went home and made a special box for her medal. I was so thrilled with the responses that I told the girls we would go buy a whole box of medals that they could present to their other friends for being honorable. My hope is that the children around my kids will behave in more honorable ways, knowing that they will get “the medal” someday. Honorable behavior will then become more of a habit then something done every once in a while.
I so love that we have been able to attend the past couple of KIDStuff shows. Each one helps us as parents explain a significant element of life that wouldn’t be as easily explained or understood had we not attended. I want to encourage other parents to take advantage of these moments. Our children really need us to be examples to them .The KIDStuff shows offer situations that may not be part of our everyday lives, yet it is in a safe and fun environment. See you at the next show, which is Sunday, April 11, at 2:00.