We can do no great things, only small things with great love. ~Mother Teresa

A while back I helped out a friend, picking her son up from kindergarten. I don’t mind helping out a friend in need, especially with a child who is self-sufficient and can just hang out and play (while I work!) Part of being a hospitable person is looking for unique ways to give of myself.

Kids love the kitchen
This particular afternoon, while my kids were in school, we did slip away into the kitchen to do this

And why not let him do this

And help with this

And then of course, the best part is this

Kids love to help
I often look around in my kitchen to find a job. Kids always love to help – even if that means organizing my silverware box!

And Kids love to play
And most kids that we host in our home pull these out of the closets (or they play video games, ping-pong, swim, play soccer, Littlest Pet Shop, Polly Pockets – you name it!) I often shop at garage sales for toys and bikes – to make our house fun! And I’ve stored in closets some of my kid’s favorites!

Legos

Betty Spaghetti

The all-time girl favorite

Night-night, dollies

Bring your kids in to help
And then if my daughter is home and gets involved, she tends to end up in the kitchen with the little ones, doing this

Each person gets to participate

Little helpers are the best

The end result is this (recipe coming up – Abby’s BEST Banana Bread!)

Find a need and say Yes
It’s good to be open to helping others out, or to be available if a family needs to drop their little ones off for a few hours, or to even spend the night. And I have learned to look for a need that is easy for me to fill.

In this season of life, I have few hours of “volunteer” time. But when I’m in my home I try to be open and available. It’s also a great lesson for my kids to learn that babysitting in our home is not about money. It’s not about pay. It’s about sharing, giving, helping and being hospitable – finding a need and saying, “yes!”

What kinds of toys or activities do you have in your home for when you have “little” guests?

Do you teach your kids about what it means to be hospitable in their home?

(Up next on RE: NO FLOUR Barney Butter Cookie Recipe and GIVEAWAY!)