Question for STMs or anyone with experience: do you do anything charitable with your LOs around the holidays? It's so easy to get wrapped up in materialism that I'd really like to start something next year just to show Ellie how important it is to be unselfish in a world where people trample each other for sales on electronics. I know she'll be too young to really understand, but I figure the sooner I start the sooner it'll become the norm for the family.
It became a tradition in my immediate family ever since I was a little girl, that we would drive around and give our Christmas and Thanksgiving leftovers to people we saw sleeping on the streets. We didn't live in the best of neighborhoods and my mother would cook extra for the sole purpose of handing it out afterwards.
Every thanksgiving morning we volunteered at a park that did a soup kitchen for all of the homeless in the area with a turkey meal.
We tried to do volunteer work all year, not just the holidays in case anyone tried to side eye me, but you specifically asked about holidays so here's my response
Question for STMs or anyone with experience: do you do anything charitable with your LOs around the holidays? It's so easy to get wrapped up in materialism that I'd really like to start something next year just to show Ellie how important it is to be unselfish in a world where people trample each other for sales on electronics. I know she'll be too young to really understand, but I figure the sooner I start the sooner it'll become the norm for the family.
I'm generally not a fan of Elf on the Shelf, but I've seen some really cute examples lately where the elf takes a toy the child chooses back with them to the North Pole to fix up for another kid each night when he reports to Santa.
DD is only 18 months old, but I think next year we'll have her participate more in filling Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and maybe make cookies for the neighbors/another family. I also want her (and DS) to pick or make gifts for everyone (dad, mom, grandparents, siblings) from an early age too, so they have to focus on giving along with the getting.
Question for STMs or anyone with experience: do you do anything charitable with your LOs around the holidays? It's so easy to get wrapped up in materialism that I'd really like to start something next year just to show Ellie how important it is to be unselfish in a world where people trample each other for sales on electronics. I know she'll be too young to really understand, but I figure the sooner I start the sooner it'll become the norm for the family.
It became a tradition in my immediate family ever since I was a little girl, that we would drive around and give our Christmas and Thanksgiving leftovers to people we saw sleeping on the streets. We didn't live in the best of neighborhoods and my mother would cook extra for the sole purpose of handing it out afterwards.
Every thanksgiving morning we volunteered at a park that did a soup kitchen for all of the homeless in the area with a turkey meal.
We tried to do volunteer work all year, not just the holidays in case anyone tried to side eye me, but you specifically asked about holidays so here's my response
We were always so busy on the farm that we didn't do much giving back outside of the church, and when I've gone to soup kitchens they're super crowded on thanksgiving and Christmas. There are a lot of homeless people in my area though, so I love your idea!
Question for STMs or anyone with experience: do you do anything charitable with your LOs around the holidays? It's so easy to get wrapped up in materialism that I'd really like to start something next year just to show Ellie how important it is to be unselfish in a world where people trample each other for sales on electronics. I know she'll be too young to really understand, but I figure the sooner I start the sooner it'll become the norm for the family.
My husband's family has always been about charity. They have always had foster children in the home with them; they volunteered, donated, you name it. Still do. As a result, my husband grew up with a sense that charity is the norm, and has continued the practice. He is one of the most compassionate people I know. I think this is a great thing to introduce to children early on, it really does shape the way they see the world forever.
@thaisac1 it seems children are becoming more and more selfish and entitled, at least many that I encounter. We didn't have much when I was growing up but helped out in ways we could, so the importance has been instilled in me. I also worry that, because my children will grow up in a significantly wealthier household than either DH or I (though still below average for America - yikes!), it'll be more difficult to teach them the difference between wants and needs. They may not appreciate it until they have families of their own, but I am so grateful to have been raised without the conveniences money can buy because it helps me keep things in perspective. I know most people don't have this problem but I get caught up in my own anxieties and it helps to remember the important things.
I can't believe how long pregnancy lasts. I feel like it's already been forever and there are still so many months left!
@roseshadow873 is this your first? I remember feeling that way with my first because I was so focused on the baby, but this time around it's FLYING by!
Amanda
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Nov siggy challenge: animals eating Thanksgiving food
@pinottoparenthood: Yes it is my first. This pregnancy stuff is still crazy to me!
I'm also worried about raising a selfish, spoiled kid. I am definitely going to try to not let that happen! I would like to volunteer more, but I have had bad experiences with it. It's so hard for some reason to find a place to volunteer where they even let you do more than menial tasks. I have some skills! I can do more than they give me to do. I also feel like at such places I am not making any sort of difference and it's all busy work. It never seems worth the time.
Ugh. Lunchtime. Best and worst time of the day. I get to eat, which is awesome, but why does this whole office smell like ham?! Yesterday it was Italian beef. The day before that, garlic bread. I wish my coworkers would just refrain from having food in the building.
OMG....time is flying for me this time around. I have 18 weeks left before I see baby!! I'm having a repeat C Section and they're going to do it at 39 weeks and I just turned 21 weeks today. That doesn't seem very long to me, not when time is flying.
I asked my 17 year old what she wants for Christmas and she said, "I don't know what I would want. I pretty much have everything I could ever need and want already." I don't know why, but that made me feel like I'm actually doing something right as a parent.
@pinottoparenthood: Yes it is my first. This pregnancy stuff is still crazy to me!
I'm also worried about raising a selfish, spoiled kid. I am definitely going to try to not let that happen! I would like to volunteer more, but I have had bad experiences with it. It's so hard for some reason to find a place to volunteer where they even let you do more than menial tasks. I have some skills! I can do more than they give me to do. I also feel like at such places I am not making any sort of difference and it's all busy work. It never seems worth the time.
For liability purposes, most places couldn't let you do much to begin with; however, if you build a relationship with an agency they'll be more inclined to let you do more.
Question for STMs or anyone with experience: do you do anything charitable with your LOs around the holidays? It's so easy to get wrapped up in materialism that I'd really like to start something next year just to show Ellie how important it is to be unselfish in a world where people trample each other for sales on electronics. I know she'll be too young to really understand, but I figure the sooner I start the sooner it'll become the norm for the family.
My family has done shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child almost every year. One year when I was a kid our school (a small private school) went to one of their shipping facilities and sorted boxes and packed them on crates to ship.
For years my family has participated in a charity called Arm Full of Love. (Its in Minnesota, i wish they had that program where I live now, but there are some other fairly similar options). With this charity your family gets assigned to another family that is unable to afford Christmas gifts and has created a list of things they want and need. You then buy the gifts, wrap them, and deliver them to the organization which would get them to the family and keep identities anonymous. It always kind of broke my heart to see some of the things they would ask for, like winter coats or boots for their kids. I cant imagine raising kids in such a cold-winter state and being unable provide clothing to keep them warm.
Of course there are options like Toys for Tots, volunteering at your local food bank, soup kitchen, or homeless mission.
I've seen DIY homeless care packages on pinterest many times and have thought about putting some together. These would be great to have all year round.
Another idea, if you are a church-going person you could ask your pastor or other church leaders if they know of a family in your church that is struggling and could use help with food or gifts so they can give their kids a christmas.
Question for STMs or anyone with experience: do you do anything charitable with your LOs around the holidays? It's so easy to get wrapped up in materialism that I'd really like to start something next year just to show Ellie how important it is to be unselfish in a world where people trample each other for sales on electronics. I know she'll be too young to really understand, but I figure the sooner I start the sooner it'll become the norm for the family.
My family has done shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child almost every year. One year when I was a kid our school (a small private school) went to one of their shipping facilities and sorted boxes and packed them on crates to ship.
For years my family has participated in a charity called Arm Full of Love. (Its in Minnesota, i wish they had that program where I live now, but there are some other fairly similar options). With this charity your family gets assigned to another family that is unable to afford Christmas gifts and has created a list of things they want and need. You then buy the gifts, wrap them, and deliver them to the organization which would get them to the family and keep identities anonymous. It always kind of broke my heart to see some of the things they would ask for, like winter coats or boots for their kids. I cant imagine raising kids in such a cold-winter state and being unable provide clothing to keep them warm.
Of course there are options like Toys for Tots, volunteering at your local food bank, soup kitchen, or homeless mission.
I've seen DIY homeless care packages on pinterest many times and have thought about putting some together. These would be great to have all year round.
Another idea, if you are a church-going person you could ask your pastor or other church leaders if they know of a family in your church that is struggling and could use help with food or gifts so they can give their kids a christmas.
We keep the homeless bags in our car (we typically only have homeless people on major intersections/off ramps in our city). I've found them to be a great happy medium between cash and driving on by. Plus it keeps cynical me from debating if they're "pros" or not - if they're just out for cash, they tend to turn down the bags but if they're really in need they take them.
Question for STMs or anyone with experience: do you do anything charitable with your LOs around the holidays? It's so easy to get wrapped up in materialism that I'd really like to start something next year just to show Ellie how important it is to be unselfish in a world where people trample each other for sales on electronics. I know she'll be too young to really understand, but I figure the sooner I start the sooner it'll become the norm for the family.
We did this when I was a kid and have continued it in our family. For every gift we get (Christmas and birthday) we donate that many of our gently used toys. We bring them to the batters women's shelter. It's not huge, but I think it helps kids understand that they don't need a million gadgets and toys to be happy. And as a bonus, it reduces the toy clutter that easily piles up.
Tldr.....all week? I've been swamped. Any good threads to read or big things that happened?
Edited: food to good. But now I want food. And I just ate an entire bag of popcorn in bed
Mmmm you could go on 3rd tri and read the venting about boyfriend and fish thread lol
I seriously feel bad for the guy
I slept in the living because DH is coughing up a storm from a cold. Should I have thrown a tantrum instead?
Should have made him sleep on the couch and throw a tantrum today that you had to even suggest it. Then get mad that he's sick simply because it could possibly get you sick. Make him stay outside so you aren't sharing the same air. It's the only logical thing to to
Ooh, and we aren't allowed to pop these kids out on the birthday of anyone we know, because apparently that makes it "their day." I didn't realize there was such a thing as dibs on a birthday and I feel cheated.
@jonesl12 I'd take bed rest if I didn't have to follow it...so a vacation. I want a vacation.
Tldr.....all week? I've been swamped. Any good threads to read or big things that happened?
Edited: food to good. But now I want food. And I just ate an entire bag of popcorn in bed
Mmmm you could go on 3rd tri and read the venting about boyfriend and fish thread lol
I seriously feel bad for the guy
I slept in the living because DH is coughing up a storm from a cold. Should I have thrown a tantrum instead?
Should have made him sleep on the couch and throw a tantrum today that you had to even suggest it. Then get mad that he's sick simply because it could possibly get you sick. Make him stay outside so you aren't sharing the same air. It's the only logical thing to to
Everybody in my house is now sick with a cough/sinus drainage/sore throat deal and hubs is patient zero. I should have kicked the poor guy out too obviously!
I'm having a hell of a time finding tall maternity scrub pants or scrub pants with a comfey band across the waist. My Cherokee workwear is digging into my belly when I sit. Any suggestions ? I found literally 2 choices online and both are pretty blah
Fell asleep on the couch with my husband, and with my expanding abdomen there was no room for the dog to join, like she likes to do. So she squeaked at us until we woke up, gave up on napping, and left the couch... and then hopped up and passed out herself.
She's snoring now, and I'm still tired. What a bitch.
I'm having a hell of a time finding tall maternity scrub pants or scrub pants with a comfey band across the waist. My Cherokee workwear is digging into my belly when I sit. Any suggestions ? I found literally 2 choices online and both are pretty blah
I love flea markets man. I just found a brand new travel baby crib for 5$. I can leave it at my moms for when we come visit. It's perfect. Another major thing off my list, woo!
So, I will probably have to cancel my holiday trip to my hometown of Rio de Janeiro. There is an outbreak of a new mosquito-borne illness cause Zika, which is now being described as causing microcephaly in fetuses whose mothers get infected. Very little is known yet. My parents called me today and told me that they are getting bitten by mosquitos despite de use of repellent.
We have had (and still have) so many stressors and uncertainties with this pregnancy, I don't think it's worthwhile adding another uncertainty right now…
Re: **The Everything Random Thread for April Mamas**
Thanksgiving leftovers to people we saw sleeping on the streets. We didn't live in the best of neighborhoods and my mother would cook extra for the sole purpose of handing it out afterwards.
Every thanksgiving morning we volunteered at a park that did a soup kitchen for all of the homeless in the area with a turkey meal.
We tried to do volunteer work all year, not just the holidays in case anyone tried to side eye me, but you specifically asked about holidays so here's my response
I'll just leave this right here. You're welcome.
DD is only 18 months old, but I think next year we'll have her participate more in filling Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and maybe make cookies for the neighbors/another family. I also want her (and DS) to pick or make gifts for everyone (dad, mom, grandparents, siblings) from an early age too, so they have to focus on giving along with the getting.
******************************
Nov siggy challenge: animals eating Thanksgiving food
Rhys - born 04.17.2013
Harry - born 04.18.2016
It's a boy! Grow baby, grow! EDD: 4/22/2016
For years my family has participated in a charity called Arm Full of Love. (Its in Minnesota, i wish they had that program where I live now, but there are some other fairly similar options). With this charity your family gets assigned to another family that is unable to afford Christmas gifts and has created a list of things they want and need. You then buy the gifts, wrap them, and deliver them to the organization which would get them to the family and keep identities anonymous. It always kind of broke my heart to see some of the things they would ask for, like winter coats or boots for their kids. I cant imagine raising kids in such a cold-winter state and being unable provide clothing to keep them warm.
Of course there are options like Toys for Tots, volunteering at your local food bank, soup kitchen, or homeless mission.
I've seen DIY homeless care packages on pinterest many times and have thought about putting some together. These would be great to have all year round.
Another idea, if you are a church-going person you could ask your pastor or other church leaders if they know of a family in your church that is struggling and could use help with food or gifts so they can give their kids a christmas.
Edit: excuse my goofy laughter
Edited: food to good. But now I want food. And I just ate an entire bag of popcorn in bed
@jonesl12 I'd take bed rest if I didn't have to follow it...so a vacation. I want a vacation.
She's snoring now, and I'm still tired. What a bitch.
*for those who don't get my sarcasm at my first post.. It was sarcastic*