Kids love feeling heard and knowing their ideas are being taken seriously. Who doesn't? Your family volunteer experience can lead to some pretty profound discussions.
Big Hearted Back To School Prep
August Book Club
It's that time of year again. My family, like so many of yours, is once again engulfed in all of the excitement, nervous planning, and - yes- shopping that goes along with a new class schedule. If' you're looking for big-hearted conversation starters, book ideas, and really great tips to add a "giving" aspect to your back-to-school rituals check out the Doing Good Together newsletter.
My family has been enjoying the book Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts, which is this month's book club pick for Big-Hearted Families.
Those Shoes is exactly the type of story we hunt for here at Big-Hearted Families. It is a book full of thought-provoking ideas and real-life challenges. It’s also a beautifully written, heart-warming story that your family will want to pick up again and again.
My five-year-old has been asking for it at every story time lately.
This little book is packed with important ideas, such as:
> Recognizing the difference between what we want and what we need is not always easy, for kids or adults.
> We all have something valuable to give, no matter how much or how little we have.
> Being generous is rewarding, but it can also be difficult.
There are still a few copies available over at our shop, if you want to bring this wonderful book - along with the recipe and activity - home for your family.
I found the clothing drive particularly helpful. Not only did the story and the conversation inspire my girls to clear out the clutter of beautiful but rarely worn clothes in the back of their closet, but it got them talking to their friends about "gently worn" or even new donations.
We'll be making our drop off on Monday -three large bags full of barely worn children's clothes and shoes.
Plus, as we school shop for ourselves, we're working hard to identify "need" versus "want," in an effort to avoid cluttering up the closets once again with more than we can wear. Thankfully, my girls are young enough that they are as unconcerned as I am by brands and trends, so coveting the latest pair of .... whatever is trendy this fall... won't be a hurdle for us. I am hopeful that folding "giving" aspects into our back-to-school rituals will help make future years a little easier to manage, even after they become more socially aware.
How are you making back-to-school season a time of giving and reflection with your family?
A Big-Hearted Neighborhood
may day 004
Summer is a great opportunity to build neighborhood memories with a big hearted project or two.
We recently completed the first big-hearted project with our new neighbors. We tackled a small craft project, testing out one of the upcoming Big Hearted Families book club activities.
Big-Hearted Families' activities build great neighborhood relationships for the same reason they build strong families:
They give you and excuse to spend time together, for longer than it takes to set out the trash or pick up the mail.
They give you something bigger to talk about than the weather or real estate market.
Plus, these projects contribute - in ways great and small - to your community.
As new members of our community, volunteering together gives us a great opportunity to build deeper connections more quickly.
During this season of summer gatherings, here are a few simple activities that may bring your neighborhood together:
Make Sandwiches: With minimal preparation and just an hour of time together, your neighborhood can stock local homeless shelters with hundreds of sandwiches for their residents. Put on some fun music, tackle our discussion questions, and fire up the grill or order a few pizzas to make an evening of it!
Make Birdseed Cookies: Decorate your neighborhood with edible treats for your feathered friends! Host a neighborhood gathering and set up a birdseed cookie table as a fun ice breaker. Later you can swap stories about the creatures you've spied snacking on your treats.
Adopt the Local Food Shelf: Has your family set up a food shelf donation station in your home? For a simple, no-party-necessary option, let your neighbors know when you regularly drop of your goodies and welcome them to add to the collection. Offer gentle reminders just before each donation and let them know of any unique seasonal needs.