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 What do you do/your kids do to make a difference? October 29, 2004 12:34 PM

I thought it might be nice to get a thread started about what you are already doing to make a difference! Let's share and inspire!  [ send green star]
 
 October 30, 2004 10:32 PM

We recycle. We compost. We have a small vegetable garden and orchard -- organic, of course! We try to choose charities that truly match our values and goals. We take care of our own business first, then other people's. We definitely believe in "thinking globally, acting locally." As much as possible, we take our business to small, local merchants and vendors, rather than large corporate stores. We try to purchase things that are made responsibly, with sustainable materials and by people who are not exploited (fair trade things cost more, but are better for the world!). ~Stidmama  [ send green star]  [ accepted]
 
Foster Care October 07, 2005 5:11 PM

I do foster care have been for 6 years now.We garden.go fishing,camping  [ send green star]  [ accepted]
 
Wow Michael! October 09, 2005 7:16 PM

Foster Care must be hard but rewarding!  It's so great that you open your home and your heart to children in need!

Welcome to the group and thanks for making a post!

Take Care

Jennifer

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anonymous Jam says: November 12, 2005 1:45 AM

I don't have a kid, but I have worked with kids during our nursing duty. It's fun, exhausting, joyful and melancholic. Sometimes, your heart cries out at seeing poor children who are so malnourished, their bones are showing. I think that kids these days should learn to show the essense of humanity. They should learn how to avoid bad influences at all times, and if they succumb to it, they have to stand up and not repeat the same mistake. Most teens these days think that they should do this or that, but I don't think you have to follow the crowd in order to be liked. Kids and teens should learn how to help each other by being a good influence to one another....like, tell each other that smoking is bad for the health, sex can wait till marriage or that cussing is not good and should say more polite words instead. It doesn't take a video shoot or an expensive advertisement to spread good influence. All you need is yourself and the willingness to help. DON'T BE A HUMAN BEING. BE A HUMAN DOING.  [report anonymous abuse]  [ accepted]
 
Best Volunteer Jobs November 08, 2006 8:25 PM

I love volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club. They need tutors especially. Please consider putting in two hours a week with them! I think working in a no-kill animal shelter is wonderful for kids, because it gives them a sense of responsibility and also helps them understand life and animals better. If there is an animal sanctuary in your area, all the better! Most shelters require kids to be 14 years old before they begin volunteer work at the shelter, but some will accept younger volunteers if a parent is with them. Most duties include dog-walking and cat socializing (playing and grooming), and changing water bowls, etc. They might ask you/your kid to wash some dishes or do some laundry, but most of the time, it's direct contact with the animals. Another great organization to volunteer with is Rebuilding Together, formerly Christmas in April. It's perfect for teaching your child a skill (usually to paint), and having a wonderful morning and afternoon together. Perfect for bonding time! Or bring the whole soccer team or scout group and make it a community service day! Instead of going to a zoo, take a trip to The Elephant Sanctuary or whatever sanctuary is in your area. It's better than a petting zoo. They'll put you to work, and you'll have a blast! Zoos don't generally let you get up close and personal with the animals. Sanctuaries ALWAYS need help, and kids love it.  [ send green star]  [ accepted]
 
lots of little things February 21, 2007 10:23 PM

We participate in a recycling program daily and I involve him with sorting the things into bins. 

Each year we try to plant a tree or give a tree seedling to plant to a family member.

We read about endangered species and all kinds of animal books and talk about how animals have feelings too and is important to take good care of them too.  He has the humane society that goes into the schools to talk with the kids as well. 

I also let him 'help' with my daily clicks to donate here on the care2 webpage and we talk about the animals and environment.

Every spring we plant seeds and do a garden.  My son also is an avid participator in the children's garden at his school.

We sponsor some children in Africa and write to them regularly.  I help my son to be aware of the fact that not all people have houses to live in and enough food to eat and is important to help out other people when we can.

I talk with my son alot about littering and pollution.  He points out and is not afraid to point out to people that there is littering or when something is polluting and he knows that it is wrong.  I didn't realize what an impact this had on my son until the last community event we were at he ran around picking up everyone else's garbage (aka coffee cups and foot wrappers) that they had thrown on the ground and putting them into the garbage.

I use a litterless lunch box for myself and my son which is great (bentobox).  This reduces the use of prepackaged foods which not only saves money but also reduces the amount of garbage one would have each and every day.

We shop with cloth tote bags or baskets instead of plastic bags.

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These all sound great! April 16, 2007 10:35 PM

You guys are great parents!

Any more ideas?

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