Welcome and thanks once again for your interest in blessing your son or daughter. I admire your initiative and courage. This kit will provide the tools you need to guide you to a very enjoyable and rewarding outcome. Once you work through this process it will become easier. Feel free to adapt the tools as you wish and use as you wish for years to come.

In this kit, you will find:

1. A separate PDF called a Blessing Card. Print this file on white paper. Standard weight paper works best. You can use this card during the blessing.

2. A brief instructional video to assist in giving you a visual overview of how this all works. How To Bless Your Son Or Daughter Video Link

3. A six step outline to guide you through the entire process.

 

Six Steps:

1. Print the blessing card. (scroll to bottom of page) Once printed fold on the dotted line first and then fold again to turn the original sheet into four equal rectangles and thus a folded card. Print a few extras for draft versions and or future uses.

2. Set aside some uninterrupted time to prepare your blessing by using the three guiding statements on the card. Take your time. You may find the card limited on space so use full size sheets of paper to express your thoughts. Then transfer your thoughts to the card in bullet or outline form. The Card can be held during your blessing. The bullets can then be used to guide your thoughts while you express your blessing.

3. I recommend that your blessing to be done in a somewhat public setting. A family or family/friends gathering works well. I have planned my blessings to be done at family gatherings. Also communicate ahead of time to your son or daughter what you plan to do, not what you are going to say but simply your intent. For example, (son or daughter’s name) I have been thinking a great deal about how much I love you. I have written a few things down and I would like to share these things with you when we have our family get together this Saturday. Just before meal time I will gather everyone around. I’ll state to the group that I have some things that I have been wanting to say to you. I will then step forward towards you and say what I have prepared to say.

4. I find that right before meal time is a good time. For example, when the meal is ready, I will gather everyone around in a circle and say something like, “Thank you all for coming. We would like to give thanks for our meal, but before we do, there are some things I would like to say to Joe.”

5. Then step towards Joe. Have your card with you. Place both of your hands on Joe’s shoulders. You can hold your card open with one of your hands so it is readable while resting that palm on his shoulder. Your other hand will softly grasp his shoulder. Note: For a daughter, I do not place hands on shoulders but rather reach for her hands, holding them with one of my hands, while holding the card open and readable with the other hand.

Make direct eye contact and maintain eye contact for the duration of the blessing. State your blessing, using the bullets on the card as needed to guide your thoughts.

6. After you are complete, embrace your son or daughter.

What you say on this occasion is far more than mere words, although the words are important. What you will be doing is imparting life which can and will be referenced by your son or daughter for years to come and quite possibly for the remainder of their life. Imagine 20 or 30 years down the road where your son or daughter is facing a major life difficulty or decision: it is the truth you speak into them today which could very well play a major role in the outcome of that future major occasion.

Way to go, Dad!
I’m sure you are feeling apprehensive about all of this. That’s only natural. However, I can assure you, once you go through with it you will be glad you did.

Blessing Card PDF

Note: In regard to printing, I found the best outcome when I set my printer to portrait and scaled the output to 93%. Your printer settings may require a different tweak.