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We will of course be parents… one of these days! Ryan and I have had several conversations about how we think we will raise our kids, certain things we plan to teach them, and how we want to raise happy, fulfilled kiddos. When the time comes it will be a great and straining experience all at once I am sure. (For our mother’s, Vicki and Anita – these previous sentences are NOT an indication that we are trying to get pregnant so don’t get your hopes up just yet! 😉 )
Until we have our own kids I try to teach my little ones at school the things I would want my kids to know and learn….and occasionally I just steal other peoples children! I personally enjoy helping others through small things. There are many charities, groups and organization along with individuals that could benefit from small, easy things I can do. I enjoy doing projects, tasks, making donations and anything else that can make a difference in others lives. To think something as little as a thank you note or a plate of cookies can turn a persons day or even week around is amazing!
On Friday I borrowed (haha) two of the girls from my third grade class last year and decided to spend some time with them. We decided to make some cookie! We made some chocolate chip cookies and no bake cookies. One of the girls even said they had never seen no bake cookies!
Accomplishment #1) Introduce a new cookie!
We had so many cookies we had to decide what to do with them all. I mean we couldn’t eat them all ourselves! After a little bit of discussing we decided to give them away. One of the girls says, “Oh, I get it. We are going to help the community helpers like they help us!” We decided to give our goodies away to the mail carrier, fire fighters and the librarians. But first we had a few more things to make they decided.
Accomplishment #2) Creating a discussion where the kiddos come up with a plan and take action to be positive citizens in our community!
We got to work making a cards for the mail carrier.
Accomplishment #3) Got the girls to work on their handwriting over summer break!
The girls were watching for the mail carrier. They were afraid they would miss him!
They sat back down to work some more and sure enough he came! They ran out the door to catch the mail carrier in the yard headed next door. Each one handed him their card and then the cookies. He said thank you each time something was given to him and each time his smile got bigger.
Accomplishment #4) Witnessing us brighten up someones day!
The girls continued to work hard.
They decided to make a poster together for the firefighters and bookmarks for the librarians. They also made a bookmark for themselves to keep.
Accomplishment #5) Starting to teach children it’s okay to have things for ourselves, but we should share with others too!
We then made some puppets for the girls also to keep for themselves.
We were then on our way to deliver all of our goodies! First stop: Fire station down the street.
The firefighters even let the girls get in the trucks!
Look at her face! It melted my heart! They were having such a good time. My thought was, “I can’t wait to provide these kind of experiences for our future kids!”
Accomplishment #6) Witnessing bringing a smile to the girls faces!
Then, we headed to the library.
After we gave the librarians their cookies and bookmarks the girls even had some time to read some books. They took turns reading to me.
Accomplishment #7) Got the girls to practice their reading during summer break!
All in all I have to say the day was great! I enjoyed my time with the girls and bringing some smiles to our community. The day really made me think about some values that I want to teach our children. It also gave me a little glimpse of the joy mothers feel in their hearts when their kids get to have wonderful experiences! We are going to be parents…one of these days! But until then I will just borrow other kiddos 🙂
What kind of opportunities do you try to provide for your kids to ensure a diverse, well rounded child?
Pam Green says
I love love love all these things! You must have been a wonderful teacher to think of these things and you will no doubt make a great mom! Teaching kids to think about the bigger world and not just their own lives is a huge accomplishment.