After the hurricanes...

The devastation of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma during this past month will have lasting affects on our entire nation. Your children are noticing this too, and most assuredly have some emotional response, whether they have shared this or not.

​How can we encourage our children to turn their concern into action? 

1.  Clean out those closets and donate some toys and clothes!
           Some children (and adults!) will have a harder time with this than others. After all, they are parting with something that at one point meant a lot to them. Encourage them to think of the joy this particular item will bring to the child for whom they are concerned. Remind them that it hasn't been played with in a very long time. And above all, give your children time to make the decision for themselves. But, if it really needs to go for organizational sake (and perhaps because there is no way they still need a 3-piece puzzle), store the toy out of sight for a few days until they lose interest in it.

2.  Organize a neighborhood bake sale!
     This is a great way to meet your neighbors and have one last hurrah before it gets too cold. Have your child draw flyers with the charity served, date and street boundaries of the event, and encourage others to join in on the efforts.  Make copies and distribute to your neighbors, on Yahoo and Facebook groups, Listservs, and in your local shops.  Many families and nannies in Brooklyn Heights have done this individually, but collectively, your child's reach will be wider!  

3.  Make their birthday a charitable event!
       Yes, really!  Our children are so fortunate already, and have so many things to keep them engaged in this city without the strong need to have 20-30 new toys from classmates and family members. Before their next party, encourage your friends and family to skip the gifts and instead make a donation to a charity of your child's choosing, or bring a new book for a child in need. We recommend introducing 2 or 3 positive charities you have researched, and discuss with your child what positive work they do so that they may pick which one to donate to. After all, most of the excellent nannies in New York have several tricks up their sleeves and ways to discover the world around them, and the luster of new toys fades very quickly!

Ask your nanny to help and lead the charge, or get permission from your bosses to partner with New York City charities!  ​

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