• A Place to Start
    • Home
    • How to Use This Website
  • For All Ages!
    • Service Projects for Kids
    • Help the Community
    • Help the Hospital
    • Help the Homeless
    • Help Your Neighbors
    • Help Those with Cancer
    • Help Those with Chronic Illness
  • Kids Do Them!
    • All Acts of Kindness
    • To Do at Home
    • In the neighborhood
    • Material Cost: Free
    • Material Cost: Under $10
  • Don’t Miss This!
    • How Do I Start Serving with My Family?
      • How Do I Start Serving with My Family?
      • Serve with Your Kids in 15 Minutes
    • Family Focused Acts of Kindness
    • Focus on Parenting
    • Service Focused Birthday Party and Acts of Kindness
    • Children’s Books to Teach about Kindness & Service
      • Children’s Books to Teach about Kindness & Service
      • Children’s Book Gallery
    • KID Abolitionist
  • Get Kindness Going
    • Project: When Bad Things Happen
    • Get Involved
    • Speaker Request
  • Get the Story!
    • About Pennies of Time
    • Leadership for Pennies of Time
    • Our Partners
    • How Pennies of Time Started
    • What Others Say About Pennies of Time
  • Connect with Us!
    • Contact Pennies of Time
    • Spread Kindness by Donating to Pennies of Time
  • A Place to Start
    • Home
    • How to Use This Website
  • For All Ages!
    • Service Projects for Kids
    • Help the Community
    • Help the Hospital
    • Help the Homeless
    • Help Your Neighbors
    • Help Those with Cancer
    • Help Those with Chronic Illness
  • Kids Do Them!
    • All Acts of Kindness
    • To Do at Home
    • In the neighborhood
    • Material Cost: Free
    • Material Cost: Under $10
  • Don’t Miss This!
    • How Do I Start Serving with My Family?
      • How Do I Start Serving with My Family?
      • Serve with Your Kids in 15 Minutes
    • Family Focused Acts of Kindness
    • Focus on Parenting
    • Service Focused Birthday Party and Acts of Kindness
    • Children’s Books to Teach about Kindness & Service
      • Children’s Books to Teach about Kindness & Service
      • Children’s Book Gallery
    • KID Abolitionist
  • Get Kindness Going
    • Project: When Bad Things Happen
    • Get Involved
    • Speaker Request
  • Get the Story!
    • About Pennies of Time
    • Leadership for Pennies of Time
    • Our Partners
    • How Pennies of Time Started
    • What Others Say About Pennies of Time
  • Connect with Us!
    • Contact Pennies of Time
    • Spread Kindness by Donating to Pennies of Time
Acts of Kindness
Browse:
  • Home
  • Family Focused Service and Kindness
  • Act of Kindness: Personalized Love Song
03Feb2016

Act of Kindness: Personalized Love Song

by Sheila @ Pennies of Time in Acts of Kindness, Family Focused Service and Kindness
Tags: Free, Round Up of Ideas

My heart squeezed a bit with sadness as I listened to the rushed message on the phone. My husband was going out of town, unexpectedly.

For sure, this was something that we are familiar with and know can happen, but no matter how long the separation, it is hard for the boys. Dad is the go-to bedtime story reader, the one that enjoys potty humor right alongside with the boys, and is a fountain of cheer, always.

Less than 24 hours later, as the boys and I were still sleeping, he left the house to catch his 6:30 am flight.

act of kindness personalized love you song pennies of time

 

Whether your loved one is far away from you for a short period of time or longer, acts of kindness can be used to decrease the feelings of distance. We’ve had the chance to use several frequently, and any of these ideas can be used to cheer someone near you as well. One of our favorites (and the favorite for those that receive it) is the Love Song. It is from Bye Bye Birdie, the song “I Love You, Conrad.”

I learned this song while fighting off mosquitoes and staying up late at Girls’ Camp during the summers. What started as a “camp song” is now part of a family tradition used to be as obnoxious or sweet (depending on how we sing it) when we want to connect with another.

As a family, we use our “Love Song” pretty regularly, and it has become a frequently used inspiration for turning a bad mood to good, bringing cheer to others. We’ve sung it to one another, to relatives that live far away, to the fire fighters at the fire station, to church leaders, and to our favorite Adopted Grandma who lives nearby us. We aren’t performers. We sing off-tune, and there are often crazy antics during the performance. Those little details really make it more memorable and, often, funny.

On the morning that my husband took off on a business trip, after the boys were *almost* dressed for church (you know that struggle), we sat down and sang out our love for him.

Personalized Love Song

I uploaded it onto his page on Facebook, and he was able to see it once his place landed. He immediately texted a love note back to the boys.

We personalize the song, putting the person’s name in it. Once kids learn the tune and the basic lyrics, it is an act of kindness that can be taken and given, anywhere, at anytime. Materials free, cost free act of kindness.

Lyrics:

We love you _(insert the name of person or group)____.

Oh, yes we do!

We love you _____,

and we’ll be true.

When you’re not with us,

We’re blue.

Oh, ____, we love you!

(The kids will likely add their own ‘fun’ elements to the song with their antics. Allow them that space. Our only rule when singing it is that they have to be still enough for the person to see their face and understand the lyrics. As the song is around 30 seconds, they are able to do that, easily.)

The song is fun to sing. We’ve created different variations from rapping it, singing it “opera style,” putting it to sign language, and adding our own quick lyrical dance moves as it is performed. Not only is it fun to receive the song, but it is a positive action that can be taken when a separation is causing heartache.

Other Ideas to Connect with a Loved One:
  • We’ve made a Scratch Off Love Chart inspired by the Scratch Off Chore Chart from No Time For Flashcards. In each of the squares, we write kind things and aspects we love about that person. The boys either mail the chart to their loved one or secretly stash it in their dad’s luggage.
  • Make a cheer poster, take a picture, and text it that someone special that needs cheer.
  • When away from home, Dad will make lunch love notes ahead of time for me to put in their lunch boxes while he is gone.
  • Before he leaves for a trip, Dad might make a secret message similarly to how you make these Secret Message Valentines from the Pleasantest Things.
  • To stay connected while traveling, Dad will purchase 2 copies of the same book and read a part of the book to the boys each night with the boys following along with their own copy.
  • Mail a Hug from Who Arted is a fun, easy way to send a hug in the mail.
  • You might be interested in Tips to Help During a Long Separation from Katie Hurley with Practical Parenting.

If Kindness Songs are your thing, Deb at Bits of Positivity shares many songs that may be just the thing to inspire kindness at your house, Free Kindness Songs or Rhymes.

You can check out the Pennies of Time collection of kindness songs on Youtube:
Looking for more kindness inspiration?
Try out our suggested 5 Acts of Kindness to do WITH Your Kids. You can also join in with the 100 Acts of Kindness series, hosted by Kristina and Megan.

Five acts of kindness100 acts of kindness project

What acts of kindness do you like to do with your kids to create connection with others?

More from my site

  • Acts of Kindness Road Trip: Kindness QuestActs of Kindness Road Trip: Kindness Quest
  • Acts of Kindness at the HotelActs of Kindness at the Hotel
  • Acts of Kindness For DadActs of Kindness For Dad
  • Acts of Kindness While Flying:  Flying Up, Up, and Away (at the Airport)Acts of Kindness While Flying: Flying Up, Up, and Away (at the Airport)
  • A Guy’s 42 Acts of Service on His 42nd Birthday!A Guy’s 42 Acts of Service on His 42nd Birthday!
  • 11 Acts of Kindness to do with Your Family11 Acts of Kindness to do with Your Family

Share this:

  • LinkedIn
  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Like this:

Like Loading...
Sheila @ Pennies of TimePost author

Sheila brings to life acts of kindness and service projects that kids can do. In her daily adventures of serving with her young boys, she has witnessed the awesome things that happen when kids serve others. She earned her BS in special education from The University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has taught in a variety of settings from a classroom in small town Texas to a psychiatric unit in Chicago.

Click here to cancel reply.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Receive Updates & Resources!

This includes kindness focused events, e-courses, and tools to raise kind kids! Let's start the kindness action!

100% of donations fund customized programs designed and proven to foster family involvement in community service, teaching kids to be kind.

For More Articles

Popular
Recent
Act of Kindness: Care Kit for the Homeless

Join the Movement to Raise Kind Kids! Let us know…

Act of Kindness: Making Chemo Care Packages

Join the Movement to Raise Kind Kids! Let us know…

Fun Summer Service Ideas!

  Service Ideas for Summer Weather! Most people think of…

Bloggers Who Inspire the World to Help Others

Join the Movement to Raise Kind Kids! Let us know…

5 Acts of Kindness to do WITH Your Kids

Join the Movement to Raise Kind Kids! Let us know…

Awareness Activity: Teach Kids About Hunger Through a Hunger Dinner

Join the Movement to Raise Kind Kids! Let us know…

A Guy’s 42 Acts of Service on His 42nd Birthday!

Join the Movement to Raise Kind Kids! Let us know…

Serving Others: What Can Kids Really Do?

Join the Movement to Raise Kind Kids! Let us know…

Service Project for Kids: Delivering Chemo Care Packages

Join the Movement to Raise Kind Kids! Let us know…

Service Projects for Kids: Service Projects to Help the Elderly, Ideas to do with KIDS

Join the Movement to Raise Kind Kids! Let us know…

K Is for Kindness: Acts of Kindness Kids Can Do!

Acts of Kindness Kids Can Do We're exciting to be…

Kick Off the New School Year with Kindness!

Three Tips To Start a New School Year Right --…

courage kindness
I Have an Idea

Do you doubt ideas that you have when it comes…

Summer of Kindness

As I poured a new version of the pineapple Popsicle…

Acts of Kindness to do on the Sabbath
Sunday Acts of Kindness!

Rushing through the door, *almost* late for church, I realized…

compassionate problem solvers
Creating Compassionate Problem Solvers

The smell of sweet roasted nuts mixed oddly with the…

When Bad Stuff Happens, We Start With Us

      Fred Rogers always had a way to…

when bad things happen what do I say
When Bad Things Happen, What Do I Tell My Kids?

  Three Scenes of Questions Scene One Early on a…

Summer of Kindness End Boredom
Summer of Kindness Programs

"Mom, I've got an idea to help the homeless," excited,…

What Kids Can Do to End Modern Day Slavery
What Kids Can Do to End Modern Day Slavery

"Is this dirty chocolate?" Little Brother asked me, perched on…

Subscribe for NEW ARTICLES!

Enter your email address to receive the newest articles from Pennies of Time.

Visit Sheila @ Pennies of Time's profile on Pinterest.

Newest Articles

  • K Is for Kindness: Acts of Kindness Kids Can Do!

    Acts of Kindness Kids Can Do We’re exciting to be…

  • Kick Off the New School Year with Kindness!

    Three Tips To Start a New School Year Right —…

  • courage kindness
    I Have an Idea

    Do you doubt ideas that you have when it comes…

  • Summer of Kindness

    As I poured a new version of the pineapple Popsicle…

  • Acts of Kindness to do on the Sabbath
    Sunday Acts of Kindness!

    Rushing through the door, *almost* late for church, I realized…

You Might Be Interested In

Tips for Serving Success

Tips for Serving Success

  #1 Make it SHORT!  Aim for 15-20 minutes.  #2 Have FUN! #3 Build AWARENESS of Needs Around You #4 REFLECT

Tags

Benefits of Serving Others Care Packages Cleaning Service Projects Community Helpers courage Donate with Meaning Elderly Environment and Animals events For Friends Free Guest Post Help Hospitals Helping in Time of Disaster helping refugees In the Neighborhood KID Abolitionist kindness Kindness at School kindness habits Kindness Quest media Military Service Members modern day slavery Object Lessons programming Round Up of Ideas serving during the holidays Sheila Says stories and events Teaching Empathy Teaching Kindness Tips To Do at Home Tools Traveling Under $10 we can teach hard things to our kids

Connect on Twitter

Tweets by @Pennies_of_Time

Donate: Easy to Do

100% of donations fund future acts of kindness and customized programs designed and proven to foster family involvement in community service.

Meet Sheila

Sheila Sjolseth Pennies of Time Raise Kind Kids

Support Us!

While shopping, use your purchases to earn donations for Pennies of Time. Just select Pennies of Time as your charity and start shopping!

Join Us on Facebook

Pennies of Time is a GuideStar Exchange Gold Participant

Exercise Kindness Wisely

Adult supervision is recommended for every project and activity featured on this website. Please read the instructions for each activity thoroughly before deciding whether it is appropriate for your child(ren). Pennies of Time is not responsible for any injury or damage while replicating activities from this website.

Kindness Friends

Find an Act of Kindness

  • A Place to Start
  • For All Ages!
  • Kids Do Them!
  • Don’t Miss This!
  • Get Kindness Going
  • Get the Story!
  • Connect with Us!

Pennies of Time is an established 501(c)(3) organization entirely run by unpaid volunteers. © 2016 Pennies of Time. All rights reserved. Photographs, written text, and graphics are the property of Pennies of Time unless otherwise stated.

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: