Tip of the Week: "You've Got Mail!"

     As the price of a first-class letter stamp has just increased to 45 cents, people are wondering aloud about the future of the U.S. Postal Service. Is it still relevant in this age of digital communication. I believe that nothing digital will ever fully replace the experience of receiving a piece of mail from a friend.
     So I want to offer a very simple tip this week: Send mail to your kids! In this era of junk mail, digital magazines, and e-bills, I believe that receiving a piece of mail is particularly meaningful to a child. My 10-year-old daughter recently received a postcard from a church we had visited a few weeks ago. The card was for her birthday last month and promised her a special birthday present if she brought the card in. Although it wasn't even a personal note, the very fact that she had received mail addressed to her was a highlight in her day. (And, of course, she was curious about what sort of gift they might give her.) This was a brilliant way that this church connected with the kids in their children's ministry.
     One of the great things about sending a note to a child is that it is personal and public at the same time. What I mean is that you can tell the child how very glad you are that s/he is in your group and express what you appreciate about them. At the same time, you can be nearly certain that the parents will be reading it as well. This is good because it is not as secretive as online communication (or even phone communication) can be—meaning it gives you more protection from false accusations and it can help you build a relationship with the parents as well. Here's a bonus tip: If you want to be a real hero, enclose a sheet of stickers or a bookmark or photo in with your note. This is sure to be a major highlight for the child and something that is a talking point in that child's family. Finally, sending notes is a particularly effective way to build rapport with new children and to make them feel that they are special and belong. So, bite the bullet, pay the 45 cents, and send that note. Every child loves to hear the words, "You've got mail!"