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Giving to our Community

Homegrown Education
GIVING TO OUR COMMUNITY

By: Rachel Rubinstein | November 21, 2024

There is a shift in the air this time of year. It’s not just the temperature or the autumn light. There is a sense of compassion and community that is awakened, which lights our way into the winter. So many seasonal ways to give back to our community arise, from toy or coat drives, to preparing and serving food. But what would it feel like to carry that gesture of giving through the whole year in our homes? Some families choose to give monetarily, some give their time; but how are we including our children in our giving back to our community?

My son recently asked me what a “community” was. We were able to talk about the communities we’re a part of. The community in which we live, our school community, our community of friends. This gave space to restate values we have as a family. How we work to support and contribute to our communities.

My husband and I both did a lot of volunteer work in and just out of college, but once we had children, we had less time and ability to do the types of volunteering we had previously. It was important for us to find ways to continue to give to our community in ways that our children could witness and participate in. We found an organization that let us participate once each month, boxing food for elderly Marin residents who need assistance. While the afternoon of boxing is still too much for our young children, they see the commitment we’ve made and often get to see us pass the food on and the smiles it brings. These experiences give us opportunities for age-appropriate conversations and allows us to instill in our children our family values of respecting and caring for those around us.

Many volunteer positions understandably require more commitment than we as a family of young children can afford, one afternoon a month can still be a lot to commit to! Which is why I so appreciate the volunteer opportunities that the Southern Marin Mothers’ Club organizes and shares. Next time there is a diaper drive, or a garden day, that may feel like one more thing to add to the schedule, try instead to think of it as an opportunity to demonstrate and communicate your own family values with your children.

Rachel Rubinstein is an educator and child-development expert. With experience teaching toddlers to teens, training teachers and developing curriculum, her priority now is her own two boys, Mason (4) and Walker (2). Learn more about Rachel and her Parent-Child Classes at morninglessons.org