And we reminded Kyleigh that there are other babies and big kids out there (she sees the world as 'babies', 'big kids', & 'grownups') who don't have such special things. We told her that we know she loves them all, but wondered if there were any dolls she might want to gift to some other kids so they could share that kind of love as well. And she wanted to!
***If you read this and think, "Oh, she doesn't understand all that"...
you're wrong. Sorry, you just are. She DOES understand. We've discussed her whole life the belief that "It's good to give". When Josiah came along, she generously and independently gave of her toys and assistance; and almost a year later she still shares her toys and helps bring him fresh diapers/wipes & pacifiers because it is natural for her. We also teach her about kids who don't have clothes, shoes, or food, as we desire for her heart to stay loving toward her neighbors around the world. If you're a parent, we hope you give your kids such opportunities---don't underestimate the pure, tender heart of a child!
Chris and I were going to reduce the amount of stuffed animals one way or another, but seeing that our daughter had a giving heart and was ready and willing to sort these beloved toys almost brought us to tears! We wanted to give her a chance to practice giving, but also give her a chance to keep things she wasn't quite ready to part with (I don't like clutter, but I'm not so cold-hearted that I'd rip away her favorite snuggly luvs!). She thought long and hard about some of the dolls, and ultimately she gave away more than she kept--so sweet!
If you watch the video, you'll see her big "give away" pile, and then the small collection to the side of the laundry basket are the few Kyleigh decided to keep. We plan for most of these items to be donated to a charity or organization similar to THIS, and I'll be sharing more in the coming days about some of the charities/giving opportunities that tug at my heart strings.
If you watch the video below and see her parting with something you gifted her, please know that each and every doll has been loved and cared for and held a special 'home' in her bedroom. Also, for each item she parted with, she loved on and said a farewell to it. We can't and won't keep all her babyhood/childhood stuff just for sentimental reasons, but that is in NO WAY an indication we're anything but grateful for every single possession so generously gifted to us or our kids! Sometimes it's just time to pass that love along.
Things to know about this video before you watch:
1)Kyleigh chose that outfit: t-shirt, pj pants, and a belt.
She's 2--I'd say she did alright!
2)No, we don't keep a case of soda in the livingroom!
Josiah pushes the empty box around the house!
5 comments:
You are so right. If you teach your kids from a young age to give, it will stick with them the rest of their lives! I get so frustrated with the grandparents getting mad because we are giving away the special toys they bought for the grandkids. It isn't realistic to keep all that stuff and, really, what is it teaching them? I like your phrase about time to pass on the love. I agree completely! Great post.
She is so cute & she totally didn't acknowledge Daddy's joke about keeping her brother, lol. Too cute! Her last goodbye was nice & long...too sweet...that lil' sheep needed a lot of extra encouragement :)
I think Daddy may have been sneaky & saved the Sleepy Sheepy--after all, she loves it a LOT, and she doesn't have the full concept of "forever" (do any of us really???). Most of her 'goodbyes' were brief and determined, but that one tugged at our heart strings! He didn't want her to have any regrets! But if she notices it and still asks for it to go 'bye bye', we'll certainly honor her desire to give it away!
Aww, that is good! Naomi still doesn't have that concept & she has regretted giving a few of hers away. So, sometimes you have to "intervene"..:) That was a very sweet "goodbye"..I would have done the same thing. She is just so precious!
Yes, we too have many many stuffed animals! Elenore loves ALL of them.
There isn't one she doesn't play with on a weekly basis.
Great idea.
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