Thrift store and learning!

When we first came to Taber, the boys and I went on a little town exploring adventure and came across a thrift store called M.C.C. We liked it so much that we started going there weekly.

At first, it was just a fun thing to do with my sons and get out of the farmhouse. But one day, Yann came to me and asked if  M.C.C was like Walmart. Interesting question for such a young boy. So I started explaining to him what the purpose of the store was and where everything they sell came from. Then he told me if he could give some of his toys to the store. And give we did!

Ever since that day, we started going through their toys, and books and made it a monthly activity to give what they feel they don't need anymore to the thrift store. It has been six months now and the boys are still willing to do it. Yesterday was that time of the month where we go in their room and start our two piles of give and keep, and the boys just tell me where what goes. The first time we did it, there were more keep than give but now, we regularly have more give then keep. I do make a point to ask them. It is their toys and I know how they really like some of them. I know what they love and what I love so I find that it works better that way. We all cheer when we are done and I feel it rewarding to do this with my wee ones. Every time we do it, the boys say and I quote them 'we gonna give these to make other kids happy' and I add parents too :). Let's be honest, as parents we like a good deal that make our children smile. My children are beyond happy when we get them something from the M.C.C. It's "new" to them! I also give the clothes they have outgrown to the thrift store.

I like doing this! It is, in my opinion, a good way to teach them about giving. We teach them to share with others on a daily basis. Why not teach them to give willingly, right?

On a side note, I have to say that, we have been pretty lucky with this particular thrift store. We've found some really good and fairly new toys for cheap. And some nice frames, house things, and clothes (for me) as well. I am enjoying thrift shopping. Not everything is nice but if you dig you usually find some treasures.

This month's "give".

Great find! $2 for both.

$4

$1

$1