Lindsay in her Moonbounce - courtesy of Laurie Bick
Today was one of those days. My kids don’t get it. They don’t get how fortunate they are. They have a roof over their heads, clothes on their back and food on the table. I try to remind them they should be grateful, to tell them what others don’t have.
It doesn’t work really well. I need to find a new method. A better way to show them what life can be how others are not as fortunate as they are. Gratitude is essential in life, I want them to be grateful and thoughtful. To have the right perspective.
I have been wrestling with ways to try to bring these very real facts to them, instead of the vague concepts they only have. Exposure is the answer. Tomorrow I begin planning for that exposure by contacting organizations that service those in need. To give back even more.
My family is going to make a weekly commitment to volunteering at a shelter or soup-kitchen. To help feed and care for those less fortunate than we are. There is a very fine line in today’s economy between the “haves” and the “have nots” – the edge is so close to so many. I want my kids to appreciate life, be grateful for all they have and generous with others.
I hope by showing them a little more of the world they might have a greater sense of their place in it. To never forget, to always be grateful, to always be thoughtful and always be generous.
That is the commitment we are going to make. How about your family, what commitment will you make?
how old are your kids? mine 2e 3 and 1, and looking toward the future i have often wondered when is the right time to get them exposed to some of life’s uglier facts. good read Maya
Katarina is 7.5 and Lindsay turned 4 yesterday. I don’t think it is ever too early to expose them to the gentler realities. Nothing that will cause nightmares, but make them more tolerant and appreciative.
My heart aches when I show a foreclosed home and see a child’s room left behind, some toys in the closet, photos on the ground. That is the reality of today. I want them to know the sad truth. Not to judge others on the clothes they wear or the food they eat at school.
Last week Katarina asked me if I was “popular” in school. That she is even concerned about such a thing at 7 worries me. I do my best but outside influences exist. I teach my kids to be the best people they can be and not CARE what others think of them. Work hard, try hard and do your best.
#stepsoffsoapbox
yeah, that “popular” thing would scare the hell out of me!
at least children can claim justified ignorance. i look at some of the things i hear adults in this country complaining about and my jaw drops. people are so stupified by prosperity that they are blind to the very real and life-threatening issues faced by people elsewhere. that’s not to say that there aren’t real problems here, some of which you have rightfully identified.
I think it’s GREAT if you start them young! I volunteer monthly at a women’s shelter and it REALLY does give you a better perspective, you certainly realize grattitude is a lifestyle!
You are a class act Shantee. I am very proud to call you my friend. =)
every year since 2006 Ive been volunteering an entire weekend in the NW corner of CT to do parking duties at an Agricultural Fair. We are guaranteed lunch and the rest of the food is on us. It’s in conjunction with Civil Air Patrol. We sleep in tents and wake up real early. the last few years have seen a mix of weather conditions. 2007: heat wave 90 plus. 2008: frost and cold drizzle 2009: cold rain, thunderstorms, tornado watch and muddy conditions. This fair is the Harwinton Fair held the 1st weekend in October.
On another note, consider keeping the heat at 66 or 68 in your house and turn it off at night. That’s what my mother does. Since 2007, none of my vehicles have had air conditioning. I’ve survived 4 summers by simply rolling down my windows.
sorry, i meant “mine are 3 and 1″
My sister believes the same thing for her children. She sends them every year to a third world country to donate their time to help build houses, deliver medical supplies and train baby elephants. When they come back they are so happy that they can eat at McDonald’s and go to the mall without thinking twice.
They often reflect on the things they learned, the people they met and the things they had to to do. My parents also raised me that I should do for others that can’t do for them.
I guess this should lead me to my point, I really do have one. We, my wife and I donate to a Delaware non-profit on a monthly basis while we don’t donate time, we do believe that by donating we can help those who can’t help themselves….just yet
someone famous (Kathie Lee Gifford?) used to make her kids give away most of their toys to a charity every year before Christmas? Our mall has “wish trees” during the holidays that a couple groups put up and you pick a kid to buy toys for. Once they get in school, join scouts or other groups “service projects” become very helpful in showing them how to help others. We’ve got a Crisis Nursery, womans shelter, Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club, Catholic mens shelter, Goodwill etc. that both my kids have helped with in some way, mostly scouts. At work, we are always donating something to the shelter and they do let kids of a certain age volunteer to clean and walk dogs, play with the kitties…..
Hi Maya!
Your kids are fortunate to have you teaching them to care about others in this way. It’s NEVER too early to learn that we live in a world where “the haves” have a responsibility to the “have nots”.
Our Emily is 16. And while she has been involved in our local soup kitchen and gone on church mission trips for years, I think it’s taking until about now for her to really “get it”.
As long as you continue to show your kids that caring for others in this way matters (and I know you do more than most to help others), I’m certain it will click with them too.
Parenting is about teaching by example, right? Thank you for writing this post!