Kids and service

I had one of those transcendent mommy experiences this week. You know, the kind that cements itself in your mind instantly and you know you’ll remember it forever.

I watched as my 2-year-old daughter, Nicole, stretched out her chubby little hand and laid it on top of the wrinkled and worn hand of an older gentleman at a retirement home. He was blind and instinctively jerked his hand away. Unaffected, Nicole touched his hand again, eventually convincing him to interlace fingers and rock to the music.

The moment was part of a sing-along this week by Salt Lake Music Together as part of Sing with Your Child Month. Children and their moms gathered at an assisted living center to sing and dance with the residents.

I loved watching my daughter befriend someone new and hope the event planted a seed of the importance of serving and loving others.

I’d love to take Nicole on more volunteer activities like this one, but it’s hard to think of activities that will accommodate the mood swings and energy of a toddler.

Do you do volunteer activities with your kids? Any suggestions on how to instill a love of service at a young age?