Bigger Big Sunday

every spring BIG SUNDAY arrives and this year it is upon us may 3rd. this is a day where families everywhere volunteer to help a long list of organizations. similar to michelle obama's "call to service", this day asks you to just DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING to help out. anywhere.

i keep hearing schools talk about "100% participation" about different things from giving money to parking in the correct pick-up spot, BUT... what if we had a world where giving back had 100% participation? imagine what that would look like. 

here's the link for BIG SUNDAY

if you can't find anything near you, feel free to take ideas listed on this site and have your own "little sunday".

the lesson: true, our kids have homework and soccer and ballet and sunday school. our lives are FULL, but if we can expose them to helping and giving kinds of experiences, they will shine, grow and feel in ways that will reward not only the recipient of the help, but mostly your child. they will feel big and significant in the world. they can make a difference.

*** added bonus: i say SUNDAES for all participants of "big sunday"! of course, you'll have to organize the trip to ben and jerry's on your own.

Say What???

run, don't walk, to the nearest link to amazon.com (if you are on the acme sharing website, it is on your right). i find myself referring to this book ALL THE TIME and it suddenly dawned on me that i should "share" it here. because it would, in fact, make the world a better place for us and our kids if we all had THE handbook for parenting. betsy brown braun is the real deal. her advice is so thoughtful, developmentally appropriate and most of all, comes from common sense (the kind we don't have when we are faced with our kids mid-wrestle, hair-pulling and tears).

"just tell me what to say" by betsy brown braun

Isn't Every Day Earth Day?

here is a fun and easy project to do as a family. create a wildlife habitat for the neighborhood animals. no, not a den for coyotes or skunks, but a bird bath or feeder for your sky bound feathered friends.

log onto the national wildlife federation for details and suggestions to make your backyard (or balcony) a certified natural habitat.

the lesson: what's ours is theirs. wouldn't we want to indulge in the kindness of strangers if we were flying north for the season?

***added bonus: dust off those expensive binoculars you never use and put them to work.

Earth Day - Movie Magic

earth day is right around the corner (it's april 22) and the first item on our list is to take the kids to see the new disney EARTH movie. here is the BEST part... when you purchase a ticket during opening week, disney will plant a tree in the brazilian atlantic rain forest (considered to be the most endangered rain forest since only 7% of it remains).

here is a link to get all the deets

the lesson: having not yet seen the movie, i can only hope that it will give our kids an amazing overview of so many of the wonders and creatures we don't see on a regular basis. this will help them to appreciate it more.

***added bonus: popcorn with m&m's and some red vines all to help this beautiful planet of ours.

Soooo Sweet

the great american bake sale is an organization that helps you put on a (see if you can guess what i'm going to write next) bake sale!!! yay, you guessed right!

they send you a poster, give you the low down on sales, give you an email card to forward to friends and set up an account for you. sure, you could do all of this yourself, but somehow it seems so much more LEGIT.

TGABS (my acronym) gives all of the monies raised to a hunger relief organization in your neighborhood.  this morning my son and his "girlfriend", charlotte, made a whopping $33. if i may go one step further, i would like to recommend baking rice krispies treats - they are the EASIEST thing on the planet to make. melt butter, add mini marshmallows, add cereal, stir and pour - THE END.

here's a link for THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKE SALE

the lesson: basically it's "business school 101": make a product, market and advertise, sell and donate.

***added bonus: it's really fun, great to eat leftovers and who doesn't love sitting around begging people for a dollar.

In The Jeans

i am no fool (most days). i know how impossible it is to ask children to go through their toys and give away the ones they don't use. most kids just can't do it - yet. but clothes? you bet. 

since spring is here, it's time for SPRING CLEANING. 

here is an amazing denim drive that is trying to break the Guinness Book Of World Records for the most clothing recycled. all of these jeans will be turned into cotton fiber insulation for homes damaged in natural disasters.

here's a link for more details: at national geographic kids

jeans (and jackets) must be sent in by june 30th for those of you who do spring cleaning closer to summer. 

***added bonus: a way to kill an hour or two (if you count a trip to the post office to mail them out) until spring break is over and school is back in session.

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.

Dog Day Afternoon

today's field trip to the zoo reminded me that KIDS LOVE ANIMALS, ah, duh, meredith. and it made me think more about projects that would allow kids to feel connected to animals without going to africa on safari or investing in a llama farm.

my friend, stacy, told me about this great idea:

dress up some dogs for adoption day.

1.) either get some bandanas at the surplus store, or a yard of fabric at the fabric store from which you can cut bandana shapes.

2.) give your kids some puffy paints, glitter pens and adhesive jewels.

3.) ask them to make "signs" on these bandanas that will later be worn by parentally challenged pups.

they should say things like:

i'm lovable

i play catch

hug me

i love cuddles

great watch dog

wanna play?

we all know the power of advertising, and every little bit helps.

find a rescue near you

here's a link for petfinder.com

the lesson: you could give your kids the staggeringly scary statistics about stray animals, but that might freak them out. instead, focus on how they are helping a creature who can't really help themselves. this helps kids to feel very empowered.

***added bonus: the time you spend passing out the "necklaces" and helping set up the adoption might satiate their desire to take them all home - at least for this week.

last week my grandfather turned 100 years old - seriously, 100. it was remarkable. then, sadly, the very next morning he passed away. my kids were so lucky to have had a great grandfather, one filled with nothing but love for them. 

in showing our kids how to treat others with kindness and respect, an easy target is grandparents. they will be overjoyed with almost anything (time together, a picture drawn, a hand of "go fish"). another fun activity is to have your children come up with a list of questions to ask the grandparents, "what was your favorite candy as a kid?", "what was the worst job you ever had?", what's the most embarrassing thing that happened to you when you were my age?"

if your kids don't have grandparents near by or at all, it is very easy (and deeply appreciated) to ADOPT A GRANDPARENT and brighten up a person's day. just google "adopt a grandparent" along with the city you live in, and you will find a long list of participating retirement homes.

the lesson: it is sometimes forgotten, but so invaluable to treat the older generations with the respect they have earned. 

***added bonus: actually the mystery of what your child will get out of this experience is pretty exciting - the unknown...  and maybe a hard candy.

Shower With Love

i recently watched a news piece on the san fernando valley rescue mission driving around with a MOBILE SHOWER UNIT. homeless people line up to have a hot shower once a week. it was SO moving and one of those reminders that a little goes a long way in making people happy. for them, a fresh start to the week was all they needed to feel "human" again.

watch the video here 

i thought it might be fun to put together dopp kits for those in need of some freshening up. the DOLLAR TREE and 99 CENT ONLY stores are the place to hit. deodorant, mouthwash, toothpaste, toothbrush and a comb (or any variation on toiletries) would run you $5, pack them in a zip lock bag from your kitchen drawer and VOILA! you have just created a valuable package for someone living on the streets.

make one, make 20, decorate the bags, or not, you and your kids can spend as little or as much time as you want on a project like this one. pass them out, or, if you feel more comfortable, drop them off at a local shelter or church.

the lesson: kindness toward others, especially others in need, is a basic human value we need to practice as often as possible.

***added bonus: who knows, this could inspire even MY kids to brush their hair -stranger things have happened.

Acme Holiday - Valentine's Day

isn't it the cutest thing when your kids come home from school with a paper sack filled with valentines from their classmates? mine love to spread them all over the table to read and re-read them.

this year, the save the children organization has given us a meaningful alternative to the box of "scooby doo" cards (no offense, velma). save the children has made a box of 28 cards, all with great artwork from classic children's books; Olivia, Hugo Cabret, Piggie and Elephant to name a few. purchase this box for $25 (ok, a bit more than the scooby cards, but it's FOR A CAUSE!) and the proceeds will go towards the programs they support; literacy, medical assistance, and general aid inside the rural U.S.

order cards by february 4th to make sure you have them for V day.

here's the link for save the children 

the lesson: it isn't always just about us. i think. i hope.

***added bonus: not getting sucked into the "earth garbage" cycle, you know, buying super balls and little plastic toys to add to the envelopes, the ones that will be played with for 45 seconds and then get added to the landfills of the world for thousands of years to come.

Acme Birthdays - change the present

i have come to realize that "birthday party season" is not a season, but rather a euphemism for the over-whelmed to describe what is, in fact, the entire school year.

here is a website to help. CHANGING THE PRESENT is a great place to browse with your kids to pick out meaningful gifts for their friends.

buy flowers for a playground ($5), books for kids in need ($15), feed horses ($12) or buy toys for children needing aid in recovering ($20).

click here to "change the present"

the lesson: every chance to give is a chance to help.

***added bonus: not having to make that trip to the toy store, which inevitably winds up with you bringing home more stuff that your kids didn't need.

Dear Mr President

well, he's been in office for only a few hours, but why not have your child write to President Obama? seriously, what are you waiting for?

kidthing.com has created the "dear mr president project" where kids are invited to draw and/ or write to our new commander in chief. what a great chance for families to sit down and talk about our hopes and dreams for the future.

the mail in deadline is postmarked by january 27th (one week from today). don't forget to sign the submission form so that your child's letter is eligible for the "dear mr president project book" which will be available to purchase in early february.

kidthing.com

the lesson: power is not only in the hands of adults, kids have to know that their voice counts. in a world where children mostly feel small, this can help them feel as though they are heard and can make a difference. 

***added bonus: it's OBAMA, baby!!! what more bonus is there?

Call to Service

our new first-lady-to-be is a girl after my own heart. she's a mom of two, supports her busy husband, has understated style and wants everyone to give back. come on, we're 2 peas in a pod!

this monday, january 19th is DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR day and MICHELLE OBAMA'S day to "call to service" the entire country.

the m.o. for M.O. is to get everyone to do ANY kind of community service on monday, (which is also a school holiday, so we'll be looking for things to do). the idea is to "renew america together, one community at a time. it will take ordinary citizens working together with a common purpose to get this country back on track. this national day of service is an important first step in our continuing commitment." 

this is an exciting project and one i hope you will consider doing with your families. to find local activities and to learn more about this national day of service, check out the website:

usaservice.org

if you can't find anything that speaks to you, please browse the acme sharing archives with over 70 ideas for community service projects to do with your kids.

***extra credit - i would LOVE to hear from you. please let me know how you spent the day, how it affected your kids and what did or didn't work in teaching them the most important aspect of humanity: SHARING.

Day of the Jerk

it's a new year and time for resolutions and fresh starts.

we all want to be good people, be better, do better and look better.

well, i am SICK of it. i do "good" all the time and i have had it up to here.

i use canvas bags at the market, feed my kids soy nut butter, give to the homeless, write an endless stream of thank you cards and hold open doors every time i walk through one. i am not telling you this to pat myself on the back, i am telling you this because i am tired of helping. tired of trying to be a good person. it can be a real drain.

so today (maybe it was that time of the month, or a holiday too filled with kids home from school or too many relatives, or that i was attacked by a Lorikeet at the aquarium this morning who drew blood after pecking my ear- true story! see photo above) i decided to be a jerk. and eat a lot of ice cream in the middle of the day.

i didn't yield to let the car ahead of me in, i didn't stop to chat with the solicitors in front of whole foods and i didn't turn out lights when i left the room. i was feeling tired of doing "good".

and then it set in. i thought about it for a beat. now, i was feeling bad. and not just from too much ice cream. it was actually harder to be a jerk. it takes more effort and feels really crappy. if everyone felt and acted this way, we would live in a WORSE world than we already do. BUT... if everyone tried to do just a little bit better as a human, we could achieve greatness.

so, cranky tantrum over, ear still throbbing, i thought about it for a minute.

i realized that for some, it's about a strong belief in KARMA, for others it's about GOD and for more, it's just about right from wrong. for me, it's a lot about legacy. i want my kids to see how i behave in hopes that they will mirror that behavior. what do we leave behind when we are gone? did we leave this place better than we found it? did we help spread smiles or hope or laughs or kindness? make any one's life a little bit better? in the end that's all we can do. and that's why i will continue to model this in my home and for this blog. i have no idea if it is helping any of your families and i don't kid myself to believe that my subscribers are doing all these projects every week. BUT, if we all did just a little bit better, and showed our kids how it is easier to be nice, wow, what a wonderful world.

and not just at the beginning of a new year, but at the beginning of each new day.

wishing you all a happy, healthy and Lorikeet-free 2009.

Out With The Old

now that our kids have so much "bright new shiny" with which to play, what better time to clean out the "dark old dull" ?

it is SO hard for most kids (mine especially) to part with even the smallest bit of broken lego. now, with all the new holiday loot, finding an organized place is a real chore. help them clean out the toys, books and even winter clothes that they barely notice hanging around.

make piles of (or use colored post-its) for; 

MAYBE KEEP, GIVE AWAY and TRASH.

it will be hard to get them excited about the "give away" pile, but once you put on some music, eat some leftover xmas cookies or channukah gelt, they might get into the groove. 

OR

you can tell them that for every new item they got, they need to give one away.

the lesson: abundance is the road to ungratefulness ? (ok, i think i just made that up, but it seems right, doesn't it?). plus, talk to your families about how lucky we are to get new things while explaining that not all families have the same luxuries or something like that, only more eloquent. then go back to the MAYBE KEEP pile and start again.

***added bonus: more organization means less likely chance of stepping on an errant action figure with bare feet - youch!

*find a children's hospital for donating books and puzzles.

*stuffed animals can go to SAFE or project night night.

*bigger toys and warm clothes are great for local homeless shelters.

now you can thank your kids for, not only appreciating the things they have and keeping their toys organized, BUT MOSTLY for making a difference in another child's day.

Acme Holiday - Farewell Christmas Tree

with so much festive hoopla in the air, it's hard to believe it's almost time to deconstruct it all. once you have un-trimmed the tree, think about how you will dispose of it. here is a list from worst to best:

a.) if you put it in a large plastic bag, you can almost insure it will be thrown in a landfill and practically never decompose. 

b.) if you saw it up yourself, (my husband loves this part of the holiday, the one time a year he uses his electric saw) you can put it in your garden rubbish bin to give it a slightly better chance at being composted.

c.) the best option is to go to earth 911 to find out if there is a green pick up or drop off for recycle made especially for the post holiday clean up.

the lesson: our kids should know that since the tree brought so much happiness and light to our holiday (if only for less than a month), the least we can do is NOT trash the earth with the dried and needle dropping remains.

***added bonus: having a pretty responsible answer for your hard-core friends who 1.) drive 4 hours to chop down their own tree from a sustainable farm 2.) buy a seedling in a pot and then plant it in the yard or 3.) use the artificial tree year after year bragging about the carbon they have saved from the lack of transport. *all of which i always think we'll implement NEXT year.

Acme Holiday - Chanukah

so at our house, we celebrate everything (almost) and in order to keep it orderly, we get pretty rigid, cuz if you are anything like me, the thought of so many new toys makes you cringe.

here is how we do it:

nite 1.) a toy from us to our children.

nite 2.) pjs for everyone 

    and another set sent to the pajama program.

nite 3.) siblings exchange gifts. 

nite 4.) a book 

    with another copy of the same sent to milk and bookies.

nite 5.) present from aunt and uncle.

nite 6.) we write letters to each other and read them in turn.

nite 7.) just plain giving - the kids choose what and where.

(usually baking cookies and bringing them to the fire house)

nite 8.) a toy from grandparents - go out with a bang!

this gives them plenty to play with and enough about giving back so as not to shove it down their throats (i can do that all year). hope this helps as you lay out the holidays at your home.

ACME world gift guide

not done yet??? help the world wherever you'd like:

since the acme sharing company is all about sharing, giving and DOING as a family, please note that i am only giving you these "just send money" lists for the holidays. 

global giving

find a project by country and topic and find those who need a little help for as low as $10.

alternative gifts

send money for food, water or medicine around the world.

habitat for humanity

be a part of giving the gift of a home (without having to be oprah). starting at $10.

malaria no more

every 30 seconds a child dies of malaria! that is the most heart-breaking statistic. help protect them with bed nets, $10.

changing the present

browse for a cause that speaks to you; global human rights, disaster relief or microfinance.

i had to stop somewhere, but there are countless amazing organizations that can use your help. there are a few ways to incorporate your kids into the donation process:

 

1.) ask them what they feel strongly about, then surf the web.

2.) ask if they would like to contribute with money they have received.

3.) or perhaps they would like to give to a cause in lieu of a gift for themselves.

4.) youthgive and markmakers are places where you can give your kids an account and they can find the cause, a great idea for grandparents living out of town.

ACME Animal Gift Guide

still more shopping to do?  help animals.

wwf

not the wrestling federation, the world wildlife fund. adopt animals and help save endangered species. the polar bears are a popular gift.

gorilla fund

help the beautiful mountain gorillas in africa. see above photo and insert "Awww".

oxfam and heifer

both get animals to families in need. animals bring in alternate sources of income. *helping people and animals, bonus points.

lange foundation

save the life of a cat or dog with $75.

the gentle barn

saving horses and cows while teaching at risk youth about kindness and responsibility. *helping people and animals, more bonus points.

ACME Green Gift Guide

more shopping to do? help stop global warming.

adopt an acre

choose where in the world you would like to nurture nature.

green dimes

stop junk mail and thousands of trees from the touch of a chainsaw.

terrapass

for about the price of a tank of gas, you can offset the carbon emissions from your car for a year. next best thing to getting a hybrid.

plant trees

great gift for the person who has everything. little kids can get excited by this idea.

Buy One, Give Back One

here are a few gift ideas for giving to 1.) those who want and then giving to 2.) those who need. true, you most likely already know about these products, but just in case:

at TOMS SHOES when you buy a pair of shoes (that are super cute, btw) for children or adults, another pair will be sent to a child in need. between $34 to $48.

www.tomsshoes.com

the gift of light. BOGO solar powered flashlights at $39.00 gives one to you and sends one to the destination of your choice (developing country, military, etc.).

www.bogolight.com

and at a higher price point, ONE LAPTOP PER CHILD is the coolest organization. they are bringing computers to children in the third world while you get one too. $399.

www.laptop.org

***added bonus: last minute online shopping and helping the world all in a few keystrokes without even getting off your butt. no mall parking to deal with, no guilt that you only spent on your kids who didn't really need new stuff. win/win.

Acme Library - 3 holiday books

firstly, DRUMMER BOY, the best looking toy i have ever seen. i LOVE the illustrations from loren long. the story is an exercise in gratitude and love. very touching and with the happiest ending imaginable.

the next one, WHEN SANTA TURNED GREEN, is all about global warming at the north pole - melty, as you can imagine. cute and not scary. problem solving and christmasy.

and lastly, GREAT JOY, one that addresses homelessness in a very vague but powerful way (i know that sounds like it doesn't make sense, but when you read it with your kids, it does), this gorgeously rich book touches on it lightly enough so that you can give your own explanation. it opens the door for more conversation if you want to discuss it further.

*hope you will forgive this unbalanced representation of the holidays, but i couldn't find "acme sharing" worthy books on the subjects of hanukkah and kwanzaa, feel free to let me know if you've got some!

to buy these books, see ACME LIBRARY on the right

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

Dear Santa...

this is amazing.

when your child writes a letter to santa claus and drops it in a BELIEVE MAILBOX in any MACY'S store, a dollar will be donated to the make a wish foundation!!!!

letters must be in envelopes stamped and addressed to:

SANTA - AT THE NORTH POLE.

letters should include your children writing about WHY they believe in santa.

the lesson:  including the wonder and magic of the holiday season into your traditions. and, of course, giving back - for free!

***added bonus: they were most likely going to write to him anyway, this is a great excuse to make it a special project and when they see his big red mailbox it keeps the hope alive and adds to the mystery and mythology all tied up with the spirit of christmas.

Chain of Command

starting to decorate for the holidays?  how about a KINDNESS CHAIN. great for wrapping around a tree or hanging from the dining room ceiling.

1.) cut strips of paper into 2" x 8.5" (basically a piece of construction paper sliced into 2" strips). use at least 2 different colors. depending on the holidays you celebrate, you can color coordinate (channukah = blue and white, xmas = green and red).

2.) grab your stapler and have a seat with your kids. 

3.) ask them to write on each strip an act of kindness they have performed, you can write it for them if they aren't yet literate. 

4.) bend the strip into a circle and secure with a staple. loop the following ones through the last one and keep going. see how long you can make it - you can even hold a length competition between siblings.

5.) when they are all out of loops, send them out into the world to do some more good deeds.

the lesson: showing them what the holiday spirit is really all about.

***added bonus: the money you can save on twinkle lights.

EXTRA CREDIT - if you use left over scraps of wrapping paper!!!

Gratitude Shmatitude

we are quickly approaching turkey day. a day of giving THANKS. in preparation for your family's holiday dinner, why not sit around the kitchen table for 30 minutes (more or less depending on you child's interest and attention span) and make a GRATITUDE ALBUM. let's not just TALK about being thankful, but pull out the craft box and DO!

ask your child to write on each page something for which they are thankful, draw and picture and move on to the next page. this can be in a journal, notebook or just papers you can later staple together. make this a new tradition at your thanksgiving dinner to share these books with the table.

this will give your kids time to sit and think of just the things for which they are grateful. you can even phrase it as "what are you happy about, what makes you feel good" or other basic ways for them to start categorizing their life.

the lesson: we often think about things we DON'T have or things we are frustrated about. it is not often we get to think only of the positive. 

***added bonus: not having to hear the whining about eating cranberry sauce, but rather hearing just the joy about the buttery mashed potatoes!