Is it just me or does it seem that this time of year the kids are all about receiving, how much they will receive and when?
They don't even seem to consider the giving portion of this wonderful holiday season.
I remember one year in Mexico, before we came to the US, my brother and I not getting any gifts because our parents just couldn't afford it. Needless to say I was very disappointed.
I also vividly remember hearing a knock on the door that same day and my mom handing me a bag of tortillas for beggars who had come to our door.
I can still remember how sorry I felt for them but also how good it felt knowing that they would have something to eat. ----
Sometimes I wonder if maybe it was my parent's way of showing us that it wasn't all about the getting and how good it felt to give.
I learned a great lesson that day that stuck with me until today, and so I want to teach my daughter that same kindness of giving.
Don't get me wrong I still like (sometimes even love) my things but it seems to me that it has been a while since I really had that feeling of warmth in giving, like that day in Mexico so many years ago.
Funny enough, I now sound like an old lady but how about this year we start new traditions.
Let's start showing our kids that giving back feels so much better than getting that plastic toy that will end up who knows where. ( I speak mainly for myself. No judgments here)
As I was browsing online I found a great article with a few ways to help our kids help other kids, and it has some really great ideas.
As for us, this year our family won't be in the US for Christmas, so our plan is to give back generously to those precious kids living on the streets of Bolivia. I want to show Sadie that giving is a much more powerful,wonderful and long lasting feeling than that of receiving.
Wishing you all my best this Holiday Season,
Nancy
