Season of Sharing

Dear Sawyer,

The holiday season is officially here and during this time of year, Daddy and I always donate to charities. Your school is holding a Toys for Tots drive and I wanted to use it as an opportunity to teach you about giving to those who are less fortunate. However, it turned out to be a little more complicated than I expected. Our conversation went like this:

You: Can I play with those toys?
Me: No, we are going to give them to kids who are less fortunate. It's kind to give things to people who may not have as much.
Y: Oh, like sharing with homeless people?
M: Yes.
Y: So after we give them the toys, they will give them back to me so that I can play with them?
M: Well, no. We are going to give them the toys and they will take it to wherever they live.
Y: But we are sharing! We take turns!
M: Yes, normally that is how sharing works but--
Y: Because I want to play with the tractor, too!
M: I know, but they are going to take it to their house--
Y: Then can I go to the homeless house to play with them? Can you drop me off for a play date at the homeless house?

Oh boy! We talked about donating for awhile longer and I think you got it. I know how much you liked the tractor but you have also always been so thoughtful, so you were very understanding about why we were giving the coveted toy away to someone else. You carried the tractor the whole way to school and helped me place it in the Toys for Tots box in the lobby. I told you that you were going to make some kid very happy and you smiled back at me so sweetly!

Love,
Mom