The roots of Labor Day originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters, in the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution.

Working Conditions

This website gives some of the details. The average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks just for a basic living. Children as young as five and six worked in mills, factories and mines earning a fraction of an adult’s wages.

Conditions were worse for the very poor and for recent immigrants. They were forced to work in unsafe conditions, often without access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks.

Manufacturing was becoming the mainstay of America, pushing agriculture to second place, and labor unions were growing more prominent. They organized strikes and rallies to protest poor working conditions, and to compel employers to renegotiate hours and pay.

Violence And New Traditions

If you want information on one of the more violent clashes, research the Haymarket Riot of 1886, in which several Chicago policemen and workers were killed.

For information on how the tradition of Labor Day began, research the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history on September 5, 1882.

For a marriage of the two, look into the Pullman strike of 1884. The strike crippled railroad traffic around the nation and resulted in a wave of riots and the deaths of more than a dozen workers.

The Creation Of Labor Day

President Grover Cleveland made Labor Day a legal holiday in June of 1894 in an attempt to repair ties with American workers, and probably with the encouragement of one or two labor leaders. While we still celebrate the day, some wonder if the day means little more than the end of summer.

Labor Day is still celebrated in cities and towns across the United States with parades, picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays and other public gatherings. For many Americans, though, particularly children and young adults, it represents the end of the summer and the start of the back-to-school season.

Labor Day Has Lost Its Meaning

Today, it’s hard to find references to Labor Day for anything other than a sale. And the fact that Labor Day, which was meant to honor workers and what they accomplished together through organizing, now forces those lowest paid workers to labor long, hard hours in retail and service industries. And perish the thought, in these political times, that any mention of organized labor be made in the celebration of the holiday.

From the beginnings of the labor movement, workers fought for fair wages and improved working conditions. They did nothing less than transform American society. They ended child labor, fought for eight-hour workdays, fought for the New Deal. The New Deal led to Social Security and unemployment insurance. Through sacrifices made during World War II, unions pushed for Great Society legislation, leading to Medicare and the Civil Rights Act.

This day, more than any other, we should those who made it possible for us to reach for the fabled “American Dream.”

In Closing

This day, more than any other, we should those who made it possible for us to reach for the fabled “American Dream.”

This is a Tiger Lily Approved post, and Tiger Lily supports unions.

On this date 14 years ago, Pluto’s status was downgraded from a full-sized planet to a dwarf planet.

Just like that, everything we thought we knew about the solar system is no longer true.

Ninety Years Ago

According to this website, Pluto was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Pluto reigned as a planet for 76 years. Some people may think the planet was named for a golden-colored cartoon dog, but no! It was named for an ancient Greek ruler of the underworld.

Pluto is four billion miles from Earth and is about two-thirds the size of Earth’s moon. While the Earth is on a standard trajectory around the sun, Pluto’s orbit is highly eccentric. Because of this, the distance between it and the Sun varies over time. It takes Pluto 250 Earth years to orbit once around the son, and about six and a half Earth days to make a full rotation around its axis.

All That Is Very Interesting, But…

There is a standard definition of a planet. To be classified a planet, three criteria must be met.

1. It must orbit around the sun.
2. It must have a “nearly round” shape.
3. It must “clear the neighborhood” around its orbit.

Because Pluto is not the dominant object on its orbit around the Sun (other bodies can be found in the region), it does not meet the third criterion.

So… so sorry, so sad, Pluto was demoted.

And lest you feel too sorry for Pluto, the planet that is only two-thirds the size of our moon, Pluto itself has five moons: Charon, Kerberos, Nix, Hydra, and Styx.

But, An Asteroid?

Per this site, Pluto, declared a dwarf planet, is now called asteroid 134340. And while it has five moons, only three were given another designation of asteroid. “Pluto’s companion satellites, Charon, Nix, and Hydra are considered part of the same system and will not be assigned separate asteroid numbers. Instead, they will be called 134340 I, II and III, respectively.”

And the other moons? In photographs, Kerberos and Styx are but dots compared to the other moons. Excuse me. Asteroids. They are permanent celestial bodies within our solar system, but, sigh, not significant.

In Closing

Not only is Pluto confused about his or her identity, but anyone who attended elementary school before the re-classification was made will still answer this question, “How many planets are in our solar system?” by yelling, “Nine!”

This is a Tiger Lily Approved post. She doesn’t care how many planets there are.

Today, August 10, is National Lazy Day. Now this is a day that I can really get into, and every cat in the house is saying, “Woo Hoo!”

Not Much Information

I was going to reference just one website for this topic. Why? Because I am celebrating the day and doing next to nothing. For the most part, I am stealing profusely from the site.

One great American philosopher, quoted on this site, famously said, “You can’t teach people to be lazy – they either have it or they don’t.” That philosopher was Dagwood Bumstead. If you don’t know that name, Google it. Oh, wait. This is National Lazy Day. Wait until tomorrow.

This site offers a simple test to prepare yourself for the day. “Lazy people fact #72432143726413424. If you were too lazy to read that number, you’re ready to celebrate this day.”

“The number one rule of any lazy day is if you can’t reach it, you don’t need it. Don’t break the rule.”

“We assigned an alternative word for lazy for the day. We call it very relaxed.”

“What is the official exercise of National Lazy Day? Diddly squats.”

“For some tips on how to enjoy a successful lazy day visit A Pint Sized Life Blog. We were too lazy to give you our own list.

Going All The Way

The site I first referenced referenced another site, here. They were too lazy to do their own list, and so am I.

1. Don’t plan / schedule anything important. You deserve a day off.
2. Do plan what you are going to wear. Comfy clothes.
3. Gather your supplies. Blanket, pillow, snacks, wine, hot chocolate. You know. The important stuff.
4. Don’t do your hair, and no make-up.
5. Turn off all electronics.
6. Do a face mask, or two.
7. Order take-out.
8. Take a hot bath. Bath bombs recommended.
9. Absolutely. Nothing.
10. Don’t feel guilty.

Have A Partial Lazy Day

Another site gives a bit more leeway, particularly to those who didn’t know the importance of the day until reading this blog.

1. Take a nap. Now.
2. Skip cooking dinner. Put it back in the freezer. Eat leftovers.
3. Binge your favorite shows.
4. Ignore everyone.
5. Avoid your evening exercise.
6. Take a long hot bath. (Lock everyone else out.)
7. Stare at a wall or count the cracks on the ceiling.

In Closing

It’s lazy day. I’m not going to wrap it up.

This is a Tiger Lily Approved zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz………..

Um… I may or may not celebrate this day. If I do, I’ll keep it from you, so you will be spared the nightmares sure to follow.

First of all, it’s tomorrow, July 14. Avert your eyes if you go out in public and don’t want to be surprised.

So What’s This All About?

This website gave me an education. Boy, did it ever!

Two terms are used interchangeably. Naturism is a philosophical approach to social nudity. Nudism refers to a more casual approach to “occasional” social nudity. Think skinny dipping.

Some folks, those who are only naked in the shower, are known as never-nudes.

Naturism or Nudism

“Naturism offers a unique combination of recreational activity, social engagement, healthy lifestyle, and environmental philosophy all rolled into one.” This includes the belief that going nude outdoors is beneficial to your health. Many also find a spiritual aspect.

Nudism is not sexual or degrading. The experts say it is not dangerous to children. “Real, genuine naturism, as it is practiced by millions of ordinary genuine naturists, is a natural, wholesome and refreshing remedy to the pressures of modern life.”

So they say.

They also say that if you want to get into the spirit of the day, invite a friend to join you. “Anyone can be naked on their own, but naturism is a social activity, and naturists are very sociable people. You won’t have to ‘bare it’ alone!”

How To Get Started

The site referenced above gives tips to get started, so buckle down to learn something.

Here are a few ways to get started. I’ll leave the details to the site. This is basically a list. 😊

1. Visit a nudist resort.
2. Visit a nude beach or pool.
3. Join a naturist sauna or swim group.

Okay. I think I’ll look at some other tips. Something tamer.

Tamer (And Alone)

So it’s one day a year. What do you have to lose?

1. If you really want to give this a try, try looking the part. Go for a self-tanner (or a tanner at a salon) and get your body ready. Remember, you’re the only one that has to see it.
2. Wear a hilarious shirt and pretend to be basically nude.
3. Marinate in oil for hours. Slather yourself in oil, chill in the nude for a couple of hours (on well-placed towels) and… just chill.
4. Do naked yoga.
5. Turn your bathroom into a sauna. Drink tons of water, seal your door as best you can with damp towels or duct tape, plug the bathtub’s drain, turn the water as hot as it will go, let it run until the room fogs up. Sit somewhere comfortable for about 10 minutes, perhaps cushion yourself with towels. Drink plenty of water afterward.
6. Invest in a really nice body lotion.
7. Clean out your wardrobe based on texture. What feels good? What doesn’t? Fabric makes a huge difference.
8. While nude, catch up on emails or do something that otherwise you don’t want to do, like clean your bathroom.
9. Dry brush. Brush your skin with natural bristles to stimulate circulation and the lymphatic system.
10. Spread your facial mask to your neck and chest.
11. Eat frozen pizza naked in front of the television with the air conditioning on high.

In Closing

As the site says, “Your body, your choices.”

This is a Tiger Lily Approved post, but she swears if Mom does any of these things, she’s going to herd all the cats to another part of the house! Quick!

Here’s the deal. I could be serious about this day, and usually, I am. Today, though, Tiger Lily tickled my leg with her tail and we’re going off in another direction.

Starting last week, last Monday, we can now wear white into the summer months!

There’s A Tradition?

This website detail fashion rules. Rules to which I never pay attention, but, hey, you might be one of those individuals that believe you must, you absolutely must, appear in public only in the best of fashion.

If that’s you, go there for the rules.

If that’s not you, but you are interested in the subject of wearing white only between Memorial Day and Labor Day (not that you have to follow the rules), the same site gives this statement.

“Depending on where you live and your age, you may not have even heard there were rules about wearing white clothing. Typically, women who grew up either in the Southern part of the United States or were born before the 1980s are more familiar with this particular fashion etiquette.”

My mother was raised in the south, and I was definitely born before the 1980s, so yes, I heard this. Over and over and over. Until I chose to ignore the babble.

Where Did It Begin?

This site has useful information. Please think of it as anecdotal (we’ve heard that term a lot in recent months) because I haven’t fact-checked it. I’ve seen other sites with other information, and this one clearly states no one is certain when or why this particular fashion idiom began.

This site –or, let’s be grammatically correct – the person or persons who wrote the article on this site says this about that. “While no one is completely sure exactly when or why this fashion rule came into effect, the best guess is that it had to do with snobbery in the late 1800s and early 1900s.”

Snobbery. Tiger Lily hates snobbery. She says let the snobs eat cake.

I’ll quote again from the same site.

“The wives of the super-rich ruled high society with an iron fist after the Civil War. As more and more people became millionaires, though, it was difficult to tell the difference between respectable old money families and those who only had vulgar new money. By the 1880s, in order to tell who was acceptable and who wasn’t, the women who were already ‘in’ felt it necessary to create dozens of fashion rules that everyone in the know had to follow. That way, if a woman showed up at the opera in a dress that cost more than most Americans made in a year, but it had the wrong sleeve length, other women would know not to give her the time of day.

“Not wearing white outside the summer months was another one of these silly rules. White was for weddings and resort wear, not dinner parties in the fall. Of course it could get extremely hot in September, and wearing white might make the most sense, but if you wanted to be appropriately attired you just did not do it. Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894, and society eventually adopted it as the natural endpoint for summer fashion.

“Not everyone followed this rule. Even some socialites continued to buck the trend, most famously Coco Chanel, who wore white year-round. But even though the rule was originally enforced by only a few hundred women, over the decades it trickled down to everyone else. By the 1950s, women’s magazines made it clear to middle class America: White clothing was dug out on Memorial Day and went back into storage after Labor Day.

“These days the fashion world is much more relaxed about what colors to wear and when, but every year you will still hear people say that white after Labor Day is unacceptable, all thanks to some snobby millionaires who decided that was a fashion no-no more than 100 years ago.”

Tiger Lily, not liking snobs, particularly detests snobs who are also millionaires.

Just Because, Let’s Hear From Another Expert

Judith Martin is an expert on manners. This website tells you that. 😊

She goes through some of the same ideas listed above and reiterated that wearing white in the summer months became fashionable around the 1930s. It also showed that you were wealthy. Or at least you knew how to act like you were.

In Closing

Don’t be a snob. Wear white whenever you want to, and don’t poke fun at others who do the same.

While you’re at it, stop for a moment and say a word of thanks to those who served and who are serving in our armed services.

This is a Tiger Lily Approved poke of fun.

Not only did we miss the day, we missed the entire week! International Nurses’ Day was celebrated May 12. Nurses are our front line of defense, and these days, that’s saying a lot.

Why These Dates?

Per this website, the dates have been chosen to honor Florence Nightingale, who lived from 1820 to 1910. May 6 is day one of National Nurses’ Week, ending on May 12, the anniversary of Nightingale’s birthday.

The day was established to raise awareness of the important role nurses play. It was first observed in October 1954, the 100th anniversary of Nightingale’s mission to Crimea. May 6 was introduced as the date for the observance in 1982.

Florence Nightingale

There are many websites with information about this fascinating woman. I have pulled some facts from this site. She is described as a British nurse, a statistician and a social reformer, and as the “foundational philosopher of modern nursing.”

A well-educated English woman, Ms. Nightingale spurned both her parents’ desires and a marriage proposal to pursue her mission of caring for the ill. She traveled to Germany and France to study. From those countries, she learned the organizational and nursing skills she would later champion. She served briefly as superintendent of London’s Institution for Sick Gentlewomen in Distressed Circumstances. (What a name, but it certainly identified the nature of the organization!)

In 1853, war broke out between Russia and the allied forces of Britain, France and the Ottoman Empire. In 1854, news headlines spoke of dangerous and deplorable conditions in British military hospitals. Nightingale gathered nearly 40 of her trained nurses and went to the front. They found severe overcrowding, poor food supplies, shoddy management and filthy quarters. Nightingale knew conditions were ripe for infectious diseases like cholera, typhoid, typhus and dysentery. There, she became known as the “Lady with the Lamp,” for her nightly rounds to care for the wounded.

Through her efforts, the first scientifically based nursing school, the Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, opened in 1860. Now part of King’ College London, it was the first secular nursing college in the world. She was also instrumental in setting up training for midwives and nurses in workhouse infirmaries.

While I typically stay away from Wikipedia as a source, you can learn more here, including something about her social reforms. They included improving healthcare for all section of British society, advocating better hunger relief in India, helping to abolish prostitution laws that were harsh for women and expanding the acceptable forms of female participation in the workforce.

While much of her writing was published posthumously, in her time, she distributed tracts written in simple English so they could be easily understood and pioneered the use of infographics, or the use of graphical representation of statistical data. Think “pie chart.”

Nurses Today

There is so much that can be written about the nursing profession today, but in honor of all of them, I want to close with a personal story from a nurse on the front line of the Coronavirus Pandemic. This article was written on March 31, 2020.

Hospital workers across the globe who made an oath to save the lives of patients are finding themselves fighting for their own, with increasing numbers of doctors and nurses falling victim to the deadly COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus.

Jhoanna Buendia, an intensive-care unit nurse in England, said her aunt Araceli Buendia Ilagan, 63, had died of complications from the virus on Friday.

Buendia Ilagan had been a nurse manager in the surgical ICU at Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida for three decades, Buendia said.

Miami Jackson Memorial hospital called Buendia Ilagan a “hero.”

Buendia said that Buendia Ilagan had called her just a few days earlier to check on her and also mentor her on how to care for patients with COVID-19 in the U.K.

“It’s very shocking … It’s very terrifying. It’s all mixed (emotions) … I just can’t find the right words to explain how I feel right now,” Buendia told ABC News on Monday. “She told me she’s doing fine … Never did I expect that that would happen to her,” said Buendia, who also said her aunt had doted on her because she never had children.

Jhoanna Buendia told ABC News that she was afraid to return to work after her mentor/aunt died in Miami of COVID-19.

“To be honest, I’m terrified for my life,” she said. “Especially (because of) what happened to my aunt. I mean, life is really unexpected. However, in my profession, we did a pledge that we have to stay strong, we have to take care of our patients no matter what and I’m sticking to that pledge … It’s our job.”

Buendia said her aunt, the stalwart nurse, who never complained or showed frailty, had mentioned nothing about the illness or even that she had been feeling symptoms.

Her niece said she was shocked with the devastating speed with which the virus killed. By the time she arrived at the hospital, Buendia said, her aunt Buendia Ilagan was so sick that she died as soon as she got to Jackson Memorial.

“Her husband told us that he just saw her on the floor and she is not breathing properly anymore,” Buendia told ABC News on Monday. “He just rushed her to the hospital. And then everything came so fast … He’s so shocked … In her case, I’m very surprised because I didn’t know that she’s already feeling something.”

Buendia told ABC News that although she was frightened to return to work, she would be returning Tuesday because her hospital was understaffed.

Heros

Nothing else can be said that hasn’t been said already by most of the news organizations covering the pandemic, except this. See a nurse, thank a nurse.

This is a Tiger Lily Approved post. Nurses are special.

The month of March is dedicated to celebrating the Military Caregiver, those family members and friends of former military members who require assistance. As those members of the military have bravely sacrificed, so have their caregivers. This month honors their sacrifices and their successes.

Unique Challenges

Service members today face unique challenges. Because life-saving techniques on the battlefield have improved, the severity of wounds for which survivors are challenged is much greater. Multiple – up to four – amputations. Near-full-body burns. Brain trauma. Years ago, many of those who survive today would not have made it home.

There are more invisible wounds today, as well: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), mental and cognitive illnesses and issues.

With increased issues for service members, the medical safety net is strained. There are gaps, waiting lists, services that can be found only at far-reaching destinations.

All of this adds to the burden of family members, friends and community organizations who elect to be caregivers.

Sgt. Will Gardner

I recently watched a movie on Netflix, “Sgt. Will Gardner.” In it, the main character, a veteran suffering from TBI and PTSD said, “You know, brother, not all military casualties of war end up in hospitals and national cemeteries. Some make it back, others make it back, never make it home. I want to bring those vets home.”

The movie closes with this statement: “Although it is impossible to gauge accurately, findings estimate approximately 50,000 veterans are still homeless on any given night in the United States of America. A recent DoD report states that 383,947 veterans have been diagnosed with war-related Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) since the year 2000. In 2015, a VA Inspector General’s report revealed that 307,000 veterans died while awaiting pending healthcare claims. The VA National Suicide Data Report claims that the average number of Veterans who die by suicide each day remains unchanged at 20.

What The Experts Say

The following information is from a 2017 study. Source citations will be found at this site.

Since 2001, nearly 3 million U.S. military service members have deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom (October 2001–present), Operation Iraqi Freedom (March 2003–August 2010), or Operation New Dawn (September 2010–December 2011). Formerly deployed military service members and veterans (MSMVs) report a high prevalence of physical and mental health problems including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), anxiety, major depression, and difficulty transitioning from their military operations to civilian roles.

Even among veterans without physical or psychological disorders, research has shown that 25% or more report difficulty in social functioning, self-care, or other major life domains following deployment. Many veterans experience relationship and employment difficulties, homelessness, post-deployment injury, or suicide. Furthermore, the suicide rate among MSMVs exceeds the rate among civilians.

Therefore, helping these veterans to resume participation in their life roles is a national priority. Based on our review of over 15 years of research literature on reintegration, we define MSMV reintegration as both a process and outcome of resuming roles in family, community, and workplace which may be influenced at different levels of an ecological system.

That being said, “we define MSMV reintegration as both a process and outcome of resuming roles in family, community, and workplace which may be influenced at different levels of an ecological system,” support systems do not yet exist or are marginally available in government programs and communities.

Operation We Are Here

This website offers support and resources, both for caregivers and for those who want to assist. The site strives to provide a comprehensive list of resources for the military community and its supporters, offering practical suggestions to churches, communities and individuals.

With an awareness of the challenges facing the military community, they act as a clearinghouse for resources. For example, it offers links to the following organizations:

• American Red Cross Caregiver Training: Training for family and friends who care for wounded heroes needing long-term care.
• Blue Star Families: Providing both online and hands-on worships to empower caregivers.
• Boulder Crest Retreat in Virginia: Delivering free, combat-related stress recovery retreats for veterans, couples, families, caregivers and Gold Star families.
• Braveminds Caregivers Connect: Supporting caregivers assisting veterans with Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and other challenges.
• Camp Bliss (Minnesota): Providing retreats for veterans and persons with disabilities at low or no cost.
• com: A support group made up of “mothers, fathers, pet owners, sons, daughters, grandchildren, friends and members of the online community.”
• Caregiver Actional Network: Working to improve the quality of life for the “more than 65 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions…”
• Caregivers Empowering Caregivers (Blue Star Families): A workshop focusing on “resources, support and tools caregivers need to adjust to the physical and invisible wounds of war.”
• And many, many more….

In Closing

I would never presume to be an expert in this area, but I can tell you that providing support to caregivers and/or providing financial contributions to the organizations that support them is worthy of your consideration.

One place to give your support is the Gary Sinise Foundation, www.garysinisefoundation.org. This foundation supports returning veterans and their families.

This is a Tiger Lily Approved Volunteer or Donor Activity.

If you like astrology and horoscopes, you might be interested in learning more about eastern astrology. I don’t pretend to be an expert. I have fun with it.

I’m a Dragon. Actually, I’m an Aquarius Dragon. I have a great party book, a book that combines the use of both east and west. It’s fun to have a drink or two, then hand the book around the room and ask people to read about themselves. They won’t see themselves at all, but everyone else in the room will be left in fits of laughter, because, yes, the combined attributes can nail one’s personality on the proverbial head.

The Eastern Zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle, each represented by an animal. The Rat is the first zodiac animal. Recent years of the Rat are 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 and this year, 2020. This year, the Year of the Rat ushered in on January 25.

I’m borrowing from this website when I give you an introduction to Rats. They are optimistic, energetic and likable. They are sensitive to other’s emotions but stubborn. While kind, they tend to have weak communication skills and may seem to be impolite or rude. They like saving and can be stingy, but their love of hoarding may cause them to waste money on unnecessary things.

Compatibility, Education, Health, Relationships

Read about all of these areas of life, but remember to take all of it with a grain of salt. Check out the website from above or do a web search to find others.

Horoscope And Feng shui Predictions

For a look forward to the year, and for quarter-to-quarter predictions throughout the year (if you are into that kind of thing), visit this website. This site includes predictions about money and finances, health. It starts with a general prediction for the year. “The Rat horoscope 2020 predicts that you may be filled with a vague feeling of dissatisfaction even though things will go quite well.”

In Closing

I enjoy both eastern and western astrology, and I enjoy marrying the two. So, in closing, I am going to recommend this book for a good time: The New Astrology: A Unique Synthesis of the World’s Two Great Astrological Systems: The Chinese and Western, written by Suzanne White in 1988.

This is a Tiger Lily Approved Fun Thing With Which To Play!

It’s that time of year again. Christmas crazy. Spend all the money you don’t even have and purchase gifts that will be appreciated for about five minutes.

Did I say that out loud?

I did.

Teach Your Children Something Else

I posted something similar last year. I’ll probably do it every year. Anyway, floating around the internet looking for ideas, I found this website with great ideas for teachable moments. They elucidate. Here’s a list.

1. Send an extra snack with them to school, then ask at the end of the day with whom and how they shared it.
2. Encourage them to pass along compliments.
3. Take your children with you as you participate in your regular, on-going volunteer activities.
4. Create coupons and hand them out to neighbors. They could be for babysitting, walking dogs, cutting grass, shoveling snow….
5. Allow them to pick a charity and help them save money to make a donation.
6. Have them participate in giving away old toys.

From A Fantastic Post

This year, a friend shared this article about giving all year round. Actually, the article is about a charitable organization that now refuses to accept volunteers around the holiday season. They accept only volunteers who commit all year long. The idea (contained in the title of the article) is that volunteering should not be holiday entertainment. And those in need are not pets in a zoo. Read away. This is great.

One Parent’s Journey

In an outstanding blog about giving with grace, a parent talks about how to teach giving. She relates a story about another parent’s journey and illuminates both her agreements and disagreements with his ideas.

She talked about giving all year long. The holidays make it easy, but people are hungry every day of the year. If we teach our children to give only during this season, what are we really teaching them?

Another issue is keeping giving “real.” She gives suggestions for involving children of all ages.

Secrecy. If you are giving in the Christian tradition, remember the story told by Jesus. There is no need to tell anyone. No reason to expect a thank you. No reason to embarrass the ones to whom you give the gifts.

And giving will mean nothing to your child if you don’t teach the art of sacrifice.

There is no way I can speak as eloquently as this woman, so please take the time to read it.

This is a Tiger Lily Approved Way To Raise Your Children.