Originally posted in October 2010, this post pops into my mind often. So much “good” happens organically in our everyday routines. Emerging research tells us that big conversations with the little people in our lives may be critical to strengthening their empathy “muscles.” I actually put a little reminder on my google calendar to talk about the good we’ve done, and why we’ve done it, not to boast but to teach. While I’m away on vacation, I’ll offer up this old post for your thoughts.

As I watch my daughters form their first friendships, I realize that the DGT conversation can really begin anywhere.

It can begin very small, with the simple, helpful nature of friendship.

Why wait for that time in the future when your kids are old enough to participate in volunteer activities?

Let’s get them talking about the everyday good deeds that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Each of us are already members of whatever little village surrounds us. We might as well begin a conversation with our children about how we help others and how others help us. This week I took some time with my girls to recognize the everyday acts that make our lives richer.

For example, our Meals on Wheels experience was only possible thanks to the help of a friend. Miss Kindergarten’s class ends at lunch time, so without my friend’s help with school pick-up, meal deliveries would be impossible. In the end, she is as much a volunteer as I am. In fact, school pick up swaps are happining in every preschool and school across the country right now. This is a great opportunity to begin a conversation with our children about being good neighbors.

I pointed this out to my girls over the weekend. We took a few moments to think about how we are helping or being helped by our friends and neighbors. We also talked about how these small acts make us feel, how they improve our lives.

Little Miss Three knew right away that having time to do Meals on Wheels just the two of us made her feel really good. She’s working on a thank you card for our friend.

Miss Kindergarten was able to add several other examples of good deeds that pass back and forth in our little community, like the neighbor that watered our garden this summer. In fact, once our conversation began, I was surprised at how many good deeds pass between friends and neighbors.

In these busy, early days of the school year when many of us still have our fingers crossed that the calendar won’t always be so full, let’s have a conversation about these simple good deeds.

Let’s take notice of the good that happens organically. Let’s make our everyday good deeds count by talking them through with our kids.  Doing Good Together’s Learn & Reflect resources offer a good start if you’re not sure where to begin.

Tags: Books & Resources, Building Community, Free

About Sarah

Sarah Aadland is striving to make family volunteering a meaningful habit for her family of five. Join the conversation as she ponders what they may (or may not have) learned and looks for helpful information about raising compassionate kids.Though she plans to one day put her Masters in Public Policy back to work for social justice, she sees family volunteering as a way to build a stronger community, a better world, and a more connected family. In addition to her children, Sarah tends a large garden, a small flock of chickens, and a habit of mindfulness amid the necessary rituals of parenting.

View all posts by Sarah