Ways parents can develop awareness of poverty, teach generosity

If I had a buck for every time I heard someone say "kids today are so insensitive and selfish," I'd be rich. If kids lack sensitivity, it's because we parents have failed to teach empathy. Kids need to learn empathy, especially with those in need. Disparity between "have" and "have not" are greatest during the holidays. Lavish feasts rub shoulders with hunger; excessive gift-giving coincides with poverty; kids' Christmas "gimmes" coexist with homelessness and despair. Here are ways to develop awareness of world poverty and teach generosity at Christmas.  read more

Free Printable Thanksgiving Activities and Lesson Plans

As a former homeschool family, we celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday as a natural lead-in to Advent. Thanksgiving activities connect well with Advent virtues of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. I recently came across a website that is one of the most comprehensive and helpful internet resources that I've seen in five years writing online. If you need free printable Thanksgiving lesson plans, crafts, activities, recipes, games and resources, read on... read on

Free Printable 'Stone Soup' Crafts, Games, Activities, Lessons

The legend of "Stone Soup" is timeless. With it's focus on sharing and generosity, itt's the perfect Advent book. "Stone Soup" has been retold many times, notably by Marcia Brown, Ann McGovern and Jon J. Muth. Stone Soup is sacred text in preschool and elementary classrooms. If you are teaching Stone Soup, here are free printable activities. As an educator and homeschooler, I've used "Stone Soup" over the years. read more

Student volunteer service credit opportunities: Tips for parents

 Volunteering is a buzzword in educational circles. It's also an important component of Catholic advent activities. To raise student awareness, groups like United Way coordinate student volunteer programs. Home schoolers and families can take advantage of this program to help kids gain volunteer experience. Many schools require kids to perform a set number of community service credits to graduate. Elementary and middle schools are getting in on the act, too. If your student needs earn community service credits here are some suggestions.  read more

Best Christmas Gifts for Kids Missions, Children's Charities

Top 10 Gift Ideas for Kids Missions, Children's Charities
During Advent, many churches and social organizations sponser toy drives. Here is a list of toys to avoid giving, issues to consider in charitable gift-giving along with age-appropriate gifts for children in any country, climate or culture. Gift suggestions that work well for anonymous giving. Can't afford a gift? The best gift you can give is the gift of yourself--your time and talent. Contact the organizations listed to find out how you can help. Disabled or homebound? There are lots of opportunities for you--blogging, phone calls, mailing, emails and best of all prayer. Read More

Advent Devotions Week One: Expectation

Advent Week One: Expectation and the Human Condition I did a lot of creative writing when I was young. I wrote about life before I had much experience. I was naive and idealistic. Here's an advent musing from that time. Now I've lived more, but I'm still idealistic. I still have Advent hope and expectation. read more