Simple Service

I really want to teach my kids to think of others and not just themselves. Erik and I both want this. So he thought it was a good idea when I suggested picking up trash on a nearby trail this Sunday.

I've looked on and off for service projects young kids can do and have had limited success. We've done a few things here and there, but nothing on an ongoing basis. This post about teaching kids to serve in simple ways really impacted me.

It should be mentioned that Xander is really generous. He shares well and buys gifts for friends and cousins with his own money. But how easy is it to get into a habit of thinking about your own wellbeing and your own toys and the things you want day after day? Easy. Very easy.

He was actually resistant to getting out of the house (where he was playing with toys) and picking up trash. Once we got there, he was a big help but not without some complaints about the heat. ;) Nick mostly watched.

We drove to a nearby pretty trail with a garbage bag and a few gloves and some waters. It didn't take long to find plenty of trash, even though the trail looks nice overall. Erik and Xander picked up most of the trash we saw. I was carrying a purse and all of our waters and holding Nick's hand. And taking pictures. We walked the trail and played on the playground at the end of it. Then we walked back to our car, drove home and disposed of the trash, and went on with our day.

I've signed up to volunteer where Xander went to his day camp about caring for dogs, but it is going to be a long process to volunteer there. (New Volunteer Orientations that get full quickly, events are not all kid-friendly...) In the meantime, we are going to do acts of simple service as a family.