Cookie Monsters

acme sharing was lucky enough to have a little mention in cookie magazine. if you are a first time visitor from this WELCOME WELCOME. you and i already have a couple of things in common; our interest in raising kids who are socially conscious AND the same taste in periodicals.

this site is set up for parents to help fold in some giving back ideas to the already busy lives of our families. here are a few easy steps:

1.) demonstrate kindness (see post below)

2.) read bedtime stories with a message 

(see ACME LIBRARY on the right)

3.) engage in kid friendly projects that are linked to existing non-profits 

(you will find 75 on this site)

4.) alternative ideas for birthday parties 

(there are a few here)

5.) alternative ideas for birthday gifts 

(you'll find some below)

if you are already a subscriber, forgive the recap. hope it may inspire you to revisit some of the older posts.

Model Behavior

life is MESSY. i often pretend otherwise. keep my ducks in a row, keep a neat house and live and die by my to do list.

but 99.9% of the time, being a parent is not something you can put in a box and tie up with a bow. i am beginning to embrace the chaos. well, "embrace" might be a little strong. but kids get sick, bullies appear, hormones strike and mostly, general madness ensues. my eyes are finally opening (i liked it better in the dark).

how on earth are we supposed to take care of our families AND make the world a better place AND teach our kids about making their world a better place??? sometimes there just isn't time in the day to eat a healthy dinner, let alone hot glue a recycle sculpture project. 

here is where the easiest ACME SHARING activity comes into play. MODEL KINDNESS. it is so easy and most of us (you know who you are) do it anyway. when our children see us taking an extra millisecond to smile at the toll booth person, make idle chit chat with the grocery bagger or say nice things about the world around us, they are learning to be kind and positive.

it is so simple that it feels silly posting about it, but lately i have had NO time or interest to do anything extra and i couldn't help but notice how powerful and effective being nice (and sometimes faking it for the benefit of our little audience) can be.

Acme Library - The Teddy Bear

what a fantastic book to show little ones how powerful kindness can be. the story of a boy losing his bear, sees it now belongs to a homeless (and friendless) man, and forgetting his own loss and pain, decides to forfeit his feelings for someone else's happiness. 

to buy this book, see ACME LIBRARY on the right.

(this only works if you are on the acme sharing website)

Acme Birthdays - sock hop!!

here's an idea for a birthday party that will shake things up, put on a SOCK HOP for your child and their friends. 

disco, 50's or pop - whatever tunes rock your house will set the theme for the dance party.

invite the guests, in lieu of gifts, to bring new pairs of socks for children living in poverty. ask guests to wear crazy socks (i know it's not the most modern idea, but you can make it your own) and dance the day away.

need more ideas? how about a cake shaped like a sock? toe rings for party favors, pedicures on site for the moms, use xmas stocking templates to make brightly colored socks for hanging decorations or a matching game where kids have to find their mate.

to find recipients, please check:

operation school bell

kids in need

or your local shelter, temple or church

the lesson: it's not always all about them, even on their birthdays. 

***added bonus: you try dancing for 2 hours and staying awake! a nap is in their near future.