Get Your Kids on Board to Spark Goodness

Sponsored by author T.A. Barron and the Spark Goodness Program

Whenever we travel, we attempt to figure out a great way to leave the city better than when we came. Even if that means picking up random bits of garbage on the street as we’re walking, taking in the sights. I would agree that our world needs a bit of “goodness jump” these days, don’t you? Sparking goodness has become one of the ways that we can inject more into this world than we are taking, and starting with children just seems to be the smartest thing to do. They will be adults sooner than we think, and if they accustomed to giving more than they take, being nice for no other reason than it’s the proper thing to do, maybe we can see some good in this world sooner, rather than later. 

I like the sparkle that comes in the eyes of my children when they are aware of the good that they have done while the recipient has no idea. There is something magical about keeping that kind of secret and never ever sharing it with anyone, because the magic of it would be lost. The light that lives within children should be fed at a rate that makes it grow to the point that it becomes contagious in a way. Where their tiny beings can’t harness it all, but the acts that they plan become the acts that groups of them plan. Empathy is something that we need more of these days, and as with everything else, it’s going to start with the youngest generation. 

A while ago, we started a community garden on our block. It was an idea that I cam up with, but my kids jumped right in with me. They helped clean the 1/4 acre lot that would soon become the site of the We Sow, We Grow Project, and they did it with joy in their hearts. One of my children became the resident master gardener in training and the other the caretaker of all things animal. They enjoyed interacting with people in the neighborhood to let them know what we were growing, and what breed of chicken we were raising. They became voices of the neighborhood, and within the city. Now they talk about how it’s not good to litter, and how it’s important to make sure that everyone in the world has fresh food to eat. It’s a small step in the right direction, and they are small in stature, but that doesn’t stop either element from being powerful. 

Summertime brought about camp this year. For the first time EVER all of my children are out of the house. One is working full time, and the bottom three are spreading their wings in our local camp and sharing the story of the We Sow, We Grow Project with other campers and their camp counselors. So much so that several people have asked if they could come by the garden and help us plant things and harvest. That’s a HUGE spark! 

“Mrs. Nicholes, I really don’t know much about vegetables, but I know that they are good for you, and everyone needs to eat them. Plus, your daughters said that we can eat right off the plants!”

Knowing that my children are spreading a message of hope, and community involvement in their own way makes my heart swell with pride. I know that there are other ways that they can spark goodness in the world, but I’m just fine with the point in which they have jumped. If you’re looking for ways to spark goodness in your community, T.A. Barron has some ideas for you. 

[pdf-embedder url=”https://housefulofnicholes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Summer-Spark-Flyer.pdf” title=”Summer Spark Flyer”]

Making sure that the kids keep track of their sparks of goodness is important when you’re starting out. It creates a routine for them, and before you know it, you won’t have to have them keep track, it will become second nature. Until then, here’s a form in which you can write down what they’ve done, so they can see that a little goes a long way, and becomes a HUGE thing in just a little time. 

[pdf-embedder url=”https://housefulofnicholes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Sparks-Tracker.pdf”]

We all like to be inspired, right? T.A Barron is rewarding families all year long, and for the month of July, the bounty is a set of family yard games valued at over $200! While we know that being a spark in the community is its own reward, there’s something nice about a tangible one right? Take a photo of your family doing good in the community, share it on social with the #SparkGoodness hashtag and know that you’re becoming a light for others. 

Until next time, stay bright!