Karibeth19
<font color=009900>My favorite things: <br><font c
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2003
- Messages
- 1,366
My DD and I were in the mall today, and noticed our local Build-a-Bear was taking donations of bears to send to the kids that have been moved to shelters here in Oklahoma. I had just read this morning (either in the paper or on this board, I can't remember which) that most of the kids didn't have stuffed animals of their own with them, and that it can be such a big help in times of stress to have something to cuddle and love. So, DD and I built a bear and put it in a cute onsie PJ with a hat and booties (it was a gender neutral outfit, so the bear could go to either a boy or a girl), and purchased it for donation. They gave us 20% off the purchase for donating the bear, and really praised my DD for doing something so nice for someone else. I thought it was a great way for my DD to get involved and to feel like she was able to help. After we left the store, we discussed what the past week must have been like for those kids, and how much scarier it would be if you couldn't have a favorite "friend" with you. Even though she is 8, DD is still very attached to a blanket her grandmother knitted her when she was a baby, and a Disney Bear we bought her at WDW last year, so we talked about how she would feel if she had to leave them behind if we had to leave our home, and how happy she would be if some nice little girl she didn't know bought a bear especially for her. It was a great teaching moment, and I know she feels good about what she did. If you live in a state where people are being sheltered, your local Build-a-Bear may be doing the same thing, and it would be a great way to get your kids involved.
