5 Year Old Gift
I struggle so much with 'stuff' and with our kids just wanting more and more 'stuff'...it's really all so insignificant. Jackson could have five huge monster truck and still want more. And yet I play into it. I love seeing their faces when they have gotten a toy they really like. Addie literally did a DANCE when she opened up one of her gifts to today...and a part of me swelled with pride.
But yet I know that all these things are so superficial. And in one month I'll be going through those toys and decluttering, frustrated that they have so many to begin with. So I read once about the following idea and tailored it a little bit...but I wanted to do something with Jackson to help him focus on giving instead of receiving in light of his birthday...
So this morning I had him take $5 out of his piggy bank which includes some birthday money. We headed to Hy-Vee where he purchased and picked out 5 carnations. I charged him with the task of picking out 5 random people to give a flower to-no strings attached. At first he thought I was crazy...but by the fifth flower he was skipping down the aisle. Watching people's reaction was the best part. I tried to stay far enough away to not be seen but I wish I could have heard some of his conversations. The first woman was absolutely thrilled. She was reading on her own in the deli...and so unexpecting of this gift. But clearly so thankful. She insisted on giving him a starburst and of course had another for Addie. After this point he told me was looking for old girls (older girls) to give them to. The next woman was so confused...but after she realized what he was doing she thanked me for raising him right. Trust me this is much more about his personality than anything. He was not afraid, he was so enthusiastic and he was so engaging. One woman denied him-I can only imagine the conversation-I'm sure she thought he was selling something. But one by one, he lightened someones day. I was so proud of him...but even more so I was proud of his lifted spirit when he was done...and how much he enjoyed it.
When Addie Rose is 5 we will do the same. And next year we'll think of some other random act of kindness that he can do for 6 people. In the meantime, I'm thankful that my son reminded me today about how to be a little more generous. :)
But yet I know that all these things are so superficial. And in one month I'll be going through those toys and decluttering, frustrated that they have so many to begin with. So I read once about the following idea and tailored it a little bit...but I wanted to do something with Jackson to help him focus on giving instead of receiving in light of his birthday...
So this morning I had him take $5 out of his piggy bank which includes some birthday money. We headed to Hy-Vee where he purchased and picked out 5 carnations. I charged him with the task of picking out 5 random people to give a flower to-no strings attached. At first he thought I was crazy...but by the fifth flower he was skipping down the aisle. Watching people's reaction was the best part. I tried to stay far enough away to not be seen but I wish I could have heard some of his conversations. The first woman was absolutely thrilled. She was reading on her own in the deli...and so unexpecting of this gift. But clearly so thankful. She insisted on giving him a starburst and of course had another for Addie. After this point he told me was looking for old girls (older girls) to give them to. The next woman was so confused...but after she realized what he was doing she thanked me for raising him right. Trust me this is much more about his personality than anything. He was not afraid, he was so enthusiastic and he was so engaging. One woman denied him-I can only imagine the conversation-I'm sure she thought he was selling something. But one by one, he lightened someones day. I was so proud of him...but even more so I was proud of his lifted spirit when he was done...and how much he enjoyed it.
When Addie Rose is 5 we will do the same. And next year we'll think of some other random act of kindness that he can do for 6 people. In the meantime, I'm thankful that my son reminded me today about how to be a little more generous. :)
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