Two days ago we were sitting having dinner. Jeff decided for whatever reason that it was an appropriate time to gear the kids up for cleaning out their toys and things to thin out the items they may have that they aren't really in need of anymore. Of course we know that there are children in need of toys and other things to play with because they may not have access or money for them. We've tried in past years to teach our kids to be empathetic for children who are in need or who just have less then them, but we have failed miserably! Last year we had our ONLY garage sale that I will ever have (I'm just so NOT a garage sale person!!)... we encouraged our kids to each pick 3 things that they would sell. We just thought giving them the opportunity to earn some change for a toy or two would make it more enticing, but no. Sienna still brings up her long lost toys that we made her sell (or give to goodwill at the end of the day). She cries on those days as she fondly remembers her things are forever gone (feel the tenderness and sarcasm as I say that last line... ). Each year when we ask them "Which items do you not use anymore?" Or "What things do you have that you would like to put away to make room for NEW things?" They respond with "All of our things are important to us, we need all of our things!" Usually we slowly put some toys and books away, and then sneak them off to goodwill when they aren't looking. Well this year I thought maybe we'd get a different response. Sienna is growing and beginning to understand a lot more about the world in general. Poverty included. She has had a couple of her good friends who had birthday parties, but instead of asking for gifts, said that they wanted to have money donated for them to buy an animal for an impoverished family. (I hope my grammar is correct, feel free to correct me if neccesary.) This really struck her, and now she says when she has another birthday party, she wants to do the same. Also, we've shown her selected parts of some news of the natural disasters that have taken place this past year. She's seen the damage from the earthquakes, tsunami's, hurricane's, and tornado's. ANYHOW, now that you have the back story... we're at the dinner table, and Jeff says something like "Well kids, Christmas is approaching, and your bedrooms are small. What do you think we need to start thinking about?" Sienna's immediate response without even pausing was...
"I guess it's time to start looking for a new house!!"
