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Hudson Valley Parent 27
receiving rather than giving. "When
Elf on a Shelf became popular, I felt
I needed to find a different ap-
proach," Teig-Morris said.
Enter Eowyn, the Kindness Elf.
"Every day after Thanksgiving,
Eowyn, arrives," said Teig-Morris.
"From then until Christmas, my
daughters find her each morning
and read a message she leaves that
we hope will inspire them to do a
good deed. Some days we donate
items to a shelter, others we make
and send cards to people special to
us. Some days we use kind words or
attempt to make someone laugh in
some way."
Eisloeffel teaches kindness to
her children by emphasizing its
importance through questioning.
For Eisloeffel, the first question she
asks her daughter after school each
day isn't, "How was your day?" but
instead, "How did you show kind-
ness at school today?" This question
is often followed up with an equally
important one: "How did someone
else show kindness toward you?"
As we teach our children to be
kind to others, we cannot forget
also to emphasize the importance of
expecting kindness in return. They
deserve it, too!
Jill Valentino is a wife, mom
of two, elementary educator, and
lifelong resident of the Hudson Val-
ley. You can find her on Facebook,
Twitter, Pinterest and Medium @
doublesmom77.
On a picturesque coed campus, infused with nature, Oakwood Friends
School, guided by Quaker principles, prepares students for lives of
achievement, accomplishment, compassion and conscience.
Upper School Day &
Boarding Programs
(5 and 7-day)
Middle School
Day Program
For more info or to join us, write or call:
admissions@oakwoodfriends.org • (845) 462-4200
22 Spackenkill Road, Poughkeepsie, NY
oakwoodfriends.org
"Your voice gets carried far
at Oakwood.
I always have the feeling that we are
all equal. Equality at Oakwood is very
important. It is such a special place
for me, and has allowed me to prosper
and ‹ourish in so many ways."
Dylan B-W, Accord, NY
