When something devastating happens in the world--do you tell your kids?
We told our kids about Haiti a few days after the initial earthquake. We showed them some {edited} pictures, and the moving video about the woman being found at a bank 6 days later. We donated some money the day after it happened, but didn't bother telling the kids. Then Awesome Gma had an idea to put together some hygiene, first aid and newborn kits to give to those in crisis-situations like this one. The kids would be involved. It was a good teaching opportunity. My eight-year-old niece observed that there was MINT toothpaste she said how she didn't like mint and "what if they didn't like it." We talked about how whomever received this was just going to be so happy to even HAVE toothpaste. Our children need to be more grateful. They need to see how lucky they are. They aren't living in tents outside broken-down buildings. They have food, toys, clothes, warmth. We pray for those in Haiti everyday.
Here's the info for making the kits. If you are LDS and live near a Bishop's Storehouse you can also take the made kits there.
Hygiene Assembly Instructions
2 unbreakable combs (no sharp handles)
4 toothbrushes (packaged)
1 tube of toothpaste (6-8 oz., no pumps)
2 bars of soap (approximately 4 to 5 oz.)
2 hand towels (new towels, approximately 15" by 25". Please do not use dish towels or washcloths. To sew towels, serge or zigzag the edges of terry cloth to make a 15" by 25" towel.)
Place items in a heavy-duty, one-gallon sealable bag. Remove all air before sealing. Place hygiene kits in a cardboard packing box.
Newborn Assembly Instructions
1 double receiving blanket (see receiving blanket guidelines below)
4 flat fold (single thickness) cloth diapers (100% cotton Birdseye Cloth or 100% cotton diaper flannel), approximately 25". Please do not use pre-folded or disposable diapers.
4 diaper safety pins
1 pair booties or baby socks
2 regular-size bars of soap (Ivory or other non-allergenic brand)
1 newborn layette gown (please, no footed sleeper
Place items for the newborn kit in a heavy-duty, two-gallon sealable bag. Remove all air before sealing. Place kits in a cardboard packing box.
You mail them to
Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center
1665 Bennett Road
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
4 comments:
DEFINITELY TELL YOUR KIDS!!! Rio prays every night that the kids in the world without food or clothes will be helped and feel Heavenly Father's love.
Marie Etter is also collecting supplies to take to her community in Haiti. We have a Brother in the stake who is going to fill his entire bigrig and drive it down to Haiti, where Marie's brother has a shipping company and will deliver the supplies to southern Haiti.
Sooooo... if you or anyone else has anything you want to send down to Marie's community, just let me know!
So great that you are involving the kids! I agree and talk (nag) to my kids all the time about how BLESSED we are to have a safe, warm home and never have to go to bed hungry...Think I want to copy your idea. Don't know if I actually CONGRATULATED you guys on little girly #3! She's gonna be such a beauty like her momma and sisters! Luke will be lucky to have 4 mommies! (He'll appreciate it someday)...PS, that pic of Owen in the tutu...ALL him. Couldn't find Spiderman...
Good job A clan! What a neat idea to get the kids involved! When I told our kids we talked about them needing food, homes, and finding their families. The kids were most affected by the idea of not knowing where their family was - and have prayed for that mostly.
I love what you guys did. I think it is very important for our children to be aware of what is going on in the world and the fact that we are very blessed here in America. I too have only shown them edited pictures, but love that my children pray for the children and moms and dads with no food or homes. So sweet and sincere.
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