Kids in the Community

The first of the year has come and gone and many of us are still in holiday hangover mode and feeling drained of both energy & money, or is that just me?. We’re getting used to how the house looks without all that fun & festive décor and getting back into the swing of things with work and after-school schedules. It’s a tiring way to start off the new year.

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

Without fail, many of those Christmas must-haves our little ones pined over are broken because kids are monsters half-forgotten already. And it’s about this time that we re-think all of that over-spending and wondering if these kids even know how thankful they should be. If that’s the case for you, you’re definitely not alone. It’s a sign of the times. We want to provide happiness for the people we love and it’s easy to think that material possessions can do just that. But it doesn’t always work that way. When you know better, you do better though. Gratitude, after all, is a trait best learned by observing the spirit of thankfulness. Giving back to those truly in need is a terrific way to help ourselves remember what’s important.

With the holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. today, it’s the perfect time to shake off those holiday regrets and start your year off by modeling grace and giving back. Dr. King was an activist for change and inclusion. His life’s work was devoted to speaking out against injustice, serving those disenfranchised, and spreading love. 

King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

He was so passionate, that Martin Luther King Day is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service. We could all learn a lot from his example. I believe teaching your children about volunteerism early on sets the tone for youngsters that feel connected to their community and empowered by their own good deeds. If you’re in the Atlanta area and looking for ways to have your little ones give instead of getting for once, you don’t have to go far:

Read more over on Atlanta Area Moms Blog