Inspiring "Community" in Your Children

So generally I find that people think I have lost my mind for whatever reason.  I like to roll with it, since it then becomes the new "normal" and nothing I could do or say after that seems to be really all that strange to people who know me. 

This is where I start talking about weird "grassroots" social work-ish type things I like to do with my kids.

I'm really into "community" and supporting others.  That's kind of my freaky little hobby.  I like driving all over creation to pick up Community Kitchen's "Good Food Box" to make it available to people in my community, or finding ways to help people get connected with local farmers who are selling their food items.  I want to make sure everyone eats good food, and eats it because it is cheap, and awesome and available. 

So what better thing to do than teach the kids this craziness at the ripe young ages of 3.5, 2.5 and 1?!?

My boys accompanied me today as we toodled around dropping off eggs, picking up Good Food Boxes and delivering smiles and sunshine.  Oh, no, it wasn't that way at all.  They woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.  They were yelling at each other just to make the other cry, they pinched each other, kicked each other and threw things at each other in the van.  They coughed all over the baby, and by the time I got home I was so relieved that I didn't have to get into the vehicle again that I sighed a great sigh and was mildly thankful that the next big delivery was a month away. 

That said, I know I'm teaching my boys how I feel about supporting a community.  The best part of all is that the community I am supporting is amazing and thankful and spreading the word!  People are kind and excited.  The lady at the Library gave the boys awesome stickers while they waited for me to unload the truck.

Even though my kids had an awful day (despite being super cute at the Community Kitchen main depot location while they played in the bed of the truck while we awaited our order), they learned about what the Good Food Box is, and when we got home I taught them how to make homemade lemonade.  (All Elijah talked about was lemons on the way home - in between kicking his brother and stealing the other one's soother.)  We ate a delicious dinner of fresh veggies and dip, and they SCARFED it down. 

My highlight of the day was while I was getting one of the Food Boxes for a neighbour, Elijah came outside with one of my Mothers Opposed to Boredom business cards and said, "here!"  I see him wanting to help.  I hope it sticks.  Maybe not as much as his mom, but it'd be cool to see him have the heart of a "real community oriented guy" as an adult.

I have noticed lately that if I drop something I'm carrying or have to leave something on the doorstep to make a second trip, Elijah is now quick to grab it and at least try to carry it to the vehicle for me.  He does it without me asking, and I think that is possibly the coolest thing ever.  I always thank him times a hundred.  I don't want his hard work and kindness to go unnoticed! 

Only time will tell, but in the meantime, I'll hope that next month's delivery is more of a direct trip with less time in the truck for the wee ones.  After all, I don't want to torture them, I just want to help them be giving, loving community oriented people.

For more information on the Good Food Box program in Calgary or a depot near you - please see their website at http://www.ckpcalgary.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=60