I was dropping my son at preschool this morning and one of his friends arrived dragging this giant cardboard box behind him:
Today, he brought it back to kindy “to decorate.”
Sleeping in a box! I suggested to their kindy teacher that he use it as a way to introduce a discussion about homeless people. Let’s practice empathy by seeing what it feels like to live in a box! Life Lesson! God I love a Life Lesson.
I was joking but only half.
It reminded me of a conversation I had with my kids a few weeks ago when we’d gone out to get a DVD and an ice-cream. We were walking back to the car and they were whinging about it being too far and their feet being tired and I snapped.
“Look! You’ve just rented a DVD and had an ice-cream and THERE ARE CHILDREN WHO LIVE IN BOXES. ACTUAL BOXES. ON THE STREET. THAT IS THEIR HOME IN A BOX. WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE IN A BOX ON THE STREET? NO? WELL STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING TO WALK 100M TO THE DAMN CAR WHILE YOU HAVE AN ICE-CREAM IN YOUR HAND.”
Maybe I should ask my son’s friend if we can borrow the box.
I always said I wouldn’t be the parent that said “Finish your dinner! Don’t you know there are starving kids in the world?” and I am totally that parent.
Except with a box not a plate.
Ever feel like kids-these-days are too pampered? How do you make kids aware of how good they have it?
Top Comments
Thank you for highlighting the truth in homelessness!
Mia, if you want to educate your kids, youth homelessness matters day is on the 10th April 2013. Take them to an event and give them knowledge not just misguided guilt and sympathy.
I love this post, it really is not very often that someone takes time and thought to consider the work we do. If your child came to our kindy, we would read "Mutt Dog" by one of my favorite authors Stephen Michael King. As it is a delightful story about homeless pets and people, which connects with 4 year olds and had the lips quivering when we read it the other day . . . Yes, there really are people and animals who might not have a home, they really couldn't believe it. And a wonderful way to teach empathy, feelings and consideration of others.