When a stranger asks your child what they like the most about their parents, the answer shouldn’t be that ‘mom and dad get me toys, or clothes or whatever I like’. Your significance in your childs life shouldn’t be based on material things, they should look beyond that, (appreciate it for sure) but look beyond and know their parents. It’s the character of the parents that will forever have him attached to you, not the material things, because eventually the child will become an adult and afford those things, where would that leave you?

One way you can teach how to appreciate what they have is to get them involved in doing charity/volunteer work, have them pick out what they should get rid of, and the manners of doing so. There are several ways you can donate, it’s always good to find a reliable organisation to give your donated things to, that way you will be certain that they will deliver the things in appropriate manner. A good donating campaign going on right now is the ‘share the love campaign’ by Johnsons baby I was pleased on receiving their emails on sharing this with my moms/readers. This initiative aims at encouraging mothers all over India to contribute old or unused items of their children to underprivileged children. For this specific project, Johnsons has partnered with and NGO, GOONJ. This campaign enables less fortunate children to experience the ‘joy of childhood’, Being in the education field I recognise the importance of play in the mental development of a child. What seems to us adults of hours of playing is actually a very educating process for the children. It’s obvious that the less privileged kids of our country aren’t getting the right standard of education too, so not only will giving them these toys will help them enjoy but also in learning.

This campaign started first in 2012 and has been a great contributor to various cities across India. Their aim became to bring some colour into the lives of aanganwadi children, sick children, children struck by natural disasters. And this year the collection centers are situated in 14 cities and Hyderabad is on the list. Other cities include Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Cuttack, Pune, etc. There are several touch points located across these cities, you just simply have to give a missed call on 1800 267 6767/ 1800 267 2222. You will be guided to the nearest collection center. This campaign will run for 3 weekends in a row so you have plenty time to gather up the items for donation and inform others about it too. The method of processing is very organised, each day all the donated items in the drop box are taken to the nearest Goonj Collection Centers. Here they are cleaned, sorted, pressed then they are transported to the local Goonj center and given to the needful.

So mommies, think wisely, you want to donate toys, books, clothes, even buy things if you can afford to. Take your child along with you for the purchase, make them pick out toys, convince them to let-go of certain items that you know they don’t need or play with anymore. Involve them as much as possible, take pictures, make it a memory, let your child know how important it is and that it’s something he/she is expected to do as a good human all their life.

Support Johnsons baby intiative and GOONJ on facebook and have a humble life.