small acts, big lessons

I saw in the newspaper awhile back that our local food bank was low on supplies but their needs were high. I thought it would be a good idea to take the kids to buy some food to donate. I like the idea of teaching big lessons with small acts.

Today we were out running a couple of errands and I mentioned my idea to the kids. Lily was all about it and Drew wanted no part of it (I'd like to think it's because he's four and doesn't actually understand what I meant and that he was tired from a busy weekend). Lily was encouraging to him. She said, "Oh, Drew! We can help the world! It's important to help the world. It is a very good thing." Drew responded, "I don't wanna help the world....I just want to go home." I assured Mr. Grumps that we would only be in the store and making a donation for a short bit and that Lily was right; it is important to help out with others needs when we can. He decided he could maybe help out a little bit.

It was interesting to see what the kids thought would be important for people to have. Lily started with thinking that paper plates might be important, but in the end understood that maybe a box of cereal or jar of peanut butter might be a more reasonable choice. Once Lily got that we should be choosing things that people need and maybe couldn't buy themselves, she was very into helping decide what to get. We went to a store where they got to push their own cart which made it much more meaningful to them as they made choices of what to put in their cart. (I gave lots of advice and feedback.)

I hope that this small gesture of kindness will go a long way in teaching them the importance of being generous of spirit. They are naturally amazing children, but it's good to have reminders that they are a part of a larger community. I hate to get all sappy...but I'm excited that they are getting old enough for these activities to have meaning for them. I am excited that Lily was aware and prepared to be helpful and I'm hoping that Drew's understanding of this activity is just around the corner. Today we did our part in "helping the world."