I remember that when I was little, my parents sent me to an aunt's field to spend a few days on vacation ... it was far away, so the palettes to return home were not worth much. I remember it not with much joy because I went to girls who liked little to separate from their parents.
However, as time went by I liked the idea and learned to be a little independent at a relatively early age: I knew how to organize my suitcase, to carry what I considered necessary to entertain myself, to being aware of myself being away from my parents and try not to be a burden for the aunt who welcomed me. It was not a hard experience at all (although it is clear that back then the comforts in the field were limited), but today I can say that it helped me to be stronger.
I think these kinds of things are enriching for a child: learning to be away from parents, to see the world from another perspective or something as simple as learning that sometimes we should eat what they offer us and not only what we want. These are things that are not learned in school but through the experiences we can give our children. Today I have selected five that, in my opinion, can help them to become stronger.
Pick up clothes and toys and donate them to a charity
In principle this is not the most fun plan (especially for them), because some children have a hard time getting rid of their stuff, so take years without turning to look. However, making this kind of solidarity gesture and involving children gives them much more than learning to let go of what they definitely no longer use: it teaches them to share with people who need them much more.
Bring Christmas gifts to children who are admitted
Health is one of those things that we usually value little when we have it and although it is not something that a child should understand, it can be educational to visit other children, for example at Christmas, to take some gifts and show them what lucky that we are the ones who can enjoy it.
Obviously you should not take very young children (Especially since their defenses may not be very strong yet), but to those who already have an age to understand that something as simple as being able to go out to play in the park or to run, is something that not all children can do.
Visit a nursing home
When we are little we obviously do not think that one day we will be older people, but it is important that from a very young age they learn that they need attention, love and above all deserve much respect. Sharing time with other seniors apart from grandparents is very enriching for children and, incidentally, we will surely give a joy to those who receive an unexpected visit.
Go to a country with a totally different culture
Last year I went to Vietnam and during my tour I met a couple of Spaniards traveling with two young children (the least did not reach 4 years). I was impressed with how well they handled themselves and the way in which they told everything they had seen, referring especially to the children of that country. That day I realized that sometimes we think that a child is too small to do certain things but we are wrong: they adapt to new situations even better than ourselves.
Seeing, for example, that not all children have the same amenities teaches them to value what they have around them. It also teaches respect that other people have customs different from ours and that this is totally valid... traveling from a young age helps them open the world view.
Hiking
It is one of the easiest plans to make because it is not complicated to find routes to do with children regardless of where we live. My recommendation is that the itinerary is not too long and that you choose a place where when you arrive, you will find something beautiful (like a lake, for example).
Ideally, plan with them: from choosing the site and the route, to the food we are going to take: that it teaches them to plan, to feel the satisfaction of a goal and of course to value natural resources. There are no excuses, it can be done, even with very young children.
Gardening
You will say that this plan has more to do with physical strength than with anything else but not. Planting something, having to take care of it and finally picking a fruit strengthens the gift of patience and teaches the true meaning of the word 'work'. It is true that it is a plan that also suits us to teach healthy habits (I assure you that no child will resist eating a vegetable planted by himself), but it is not the only thing the child learns.
Fortunately the people who live in the city have it a little easier than before thanks to the urban gardens, but if you are not one of those who have one nearby, you can create yours on a terrace or on a balcony... here creativity can also be put to work!
Visit an animal shelter
Although animals usually like all children, very few are aware of the responsibility of welcoming them at home and taking care of them... much less that some people choose to abandon them when they feel overwhelmed by it. That is why a good plan can be to visit an animal shelter in which they are taught that an animal is not a toy and explain why they are there.
Have you made any of these plans with your children? Would you recommend someone else?
