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Good Fun and Partying With A Purpose

Good Fun and Partying With A Purpose

Last updated on: September 15, 2012 at 2:36 am by Osheta Moore

Good Fun and Partying With A Purpose 2012-09-15T02:36:00-08:00 Osheta Moore

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Today TJ threw a fit. He cried, pouted, and twirled himself into the curtain at my kitchen door. From his linen cave of despair he uttered muffled lamentations that “life’s not fair”!

Did I take away his Beyblade? No. Did I take his brother’s side in an argument? Nope. Did I ground him from a playdate? No way. Did I tell him we were going to serve homeless kids? You got it! And the boy wasn’t tolerating mama’s crazy!

Yes, it’s true. After a week of blogging about my kids and shalom, I had a front row ticket to my son’s selfish theatrics. It was a good reminder that this is a journey that requires patience, consistency, and trusting God to provide me with the right resources–be they spiritual, emotional, or physical. So today, I close out this series with a great resource to help guide us on the road towards raising compassionate children, “The Good Fun Book”

A couple of years ago, I listened to this podcast on “What Really Matters”. Kate Hannigan Issa’s story was so encouraging and her tips were so practical, I rushed to the library the next day to check out, “The Good Fun Book”.

What I so appreciate about this book is it recognizes that while many organizations have volunteer needs, most are not kid-friendly, which makes it frustrating for moms like us to engage our kids in meaningful ways of service. Sure I can send my kids out to serve at a homeless shelter when they turn sixteen, but if my six year old breaks down on my kitchen floor at the idea of throwing a birthday party for homeless kids, can you imagine his reaction at sixteen with a social life, a Facebook account, and a cell phone? I shudder at the thought!

No, this book accesses a resource that most kids have: a network of friends and boundless energy for playdates and parties.

Following the logic that if we adults hold elaborate and fun galas to raise money for charities we love, our kids would respond equally well to fun parties with a purpose, “The Good Fun Book” is broken down into “12 months of parties that celebrate service”.

Every month has an appropriately themed party you can throw with your kids that will serve a local charity or need.

My favorite months are:

November where the activity is hosting a canned food drive party. One of the party activities is to assemble bags of canned ingredients for vegetarian chili, write the recipe on index cards, and tie the bag up with bright ribbon. So cute and so much fun.

and

July where the activity is hosting a sports themed party and collecting new or gently used sports equipment to donate to Sports Gift. As a mom of boys, I know this will be a huge hit!

Because fun is a high priority in throwing a successful party with a purpose, each month has the same five features:
2 activities to help your community
1 yummy snack to make and serve at your party
1 take home activity for the party
1 charity profile

The book is colorful, easy to read, and fun so your kids can go through it with you. I love how everything is planned for me–all I have to do is pick a month and send out an evite! We love a good party so when I told my kids we would be partnering with Birthday Wishes here in Boston using this books’ model–two out of three were super excited. The middle one…well he laid in a heap under a twisted curtain…

I highly recommend this book. The corresponding website is user friendly and you can follow a link from the site to buy your copy from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Love it! One stop shopping.

This has become my favorite resource in my living curriculum on social justice for my kids. In fact, I’m planning on doing the December party theme–so Boston friends, be prepared for a fun evite in Oct :).

s-serif;”>Thanks for joining me this week as we explore kids and shalom.

Enjoy your weekend!

Getting ready to have some good fun,

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