5 Ways BUSY Moms Can Create the Good

‘Doing good’ doesn’t have to be a ‘some day’ thing.

If you’re like me you might get down on yourself and wish you were volunteering, helping out, and doing service stuff more. But maybe like me you are in a a phase of life where that kind of formal do-gooding isn’t feasible. And you know what, that’s okay. While I would love to help refugees learn how to read, tutor under privileged kids, or volunteer in a gaggle of other ways, with two businesses and a very busy toddler I’ve come to accept that right now things will just look different for me. Today I’m sharing 5 easy ways that busy moms (or anyone) can Create the Good in their communities.

1. Make Kindness Kits to Keep In Your Car

I have a big bag of stuff that I have cleared out of my closets and cupboards. They are perfectly good garments and food items but I just know I’m not going to wear them or eat them. I’m sure you can relate. At first I thought I’d throw them away but instead I decided to make packs to hand to people that I see asking for help. I know on my daily commute I see at least a few people holding signs and I personally go back and forth between being comfortable giving cash. Some ideas of things to include are gloves, scarves, granola bars, water, feminine hygiene products, chap stick, local fast food gift cards,or even  a pair of socks. If you’re getting rid of purses or bags you can use those to hold your kits which can work as double duty. Some can be small and other can be large. I rolled a few snacks, a drink, and a gift card in a sock. A few other things I folded up into a pair of gloves. Again it doesn’t have to take a ton or time or money. It can be stuff you have on hand or you can pick up supplies when you find a good deal.

2. Stock Up on Deals to Donate

I’m a part of some deal facebook groups (this one is my favorite) just for normal shopping. They are great during Christmas for keeping an eye out for presents but throughout the year I love them for regular house hold items. Often times things like shampoo and socks will go on sale and while you’re grabbing some for your family it’s easy to buy a couple more to donate. To make things even better contact your local shelter or favorite help center to find out what their current needs are. Most will have a list of items that are most helpful. Then when you see a good deal online or while you’re doing your own shopping you can pick up some extra for them too.

3. Buy a Homeless Person a Meal

When I was in college, friends of mine would take homeless people out to dinner that we met. Now I don’t feel comfortable doing that with a baby for a number of reasons. But what I have started doing is if I am at a place that sells food and see someone who is asking for help I’ll pick up something to go. This is super easy when you’re running into the super market. Just grab a few things from the deli section and a drink (don’t forget any plastic utensils and napkins) and you’re good to go.

4. Make a Quick Create the Good Video

Do you have a favorite charity or organization that you love and wish you could do more for? Just pick up your camera and shoot a quick video talking about your dreams of helping others. Submit your video to the Create the Good Dream Builder Video Contest by 2/7/2016 and you might win a $2,500 donation to the charity of your choice. Your video should show your dream for helping others and which charity you would partner with to make that dream come true. There will be a public vote on 12 selected finalist videos and the winning video will get a $2,500 charity donation while three runner up videos will win a $500 donation to the non-profit cited in their video as the charity of their choice. Learn more at the Create the Good Facebook.

5. Take Advantage of the Little Moments

Whether you are standing in line at the grocery store, pumping gas, or toting your toddler to the library for story time, take a moment to see if there is anything you can do to make the day a little better for someone else. It can be as simple as a genuine smile, letting a frazzled looking person ahead of you in line, or even holding the door open for a mom juggling a wild kid. I know sometimes just getting the groceries from the shopping cart to my trunk with my little guy can be a struggle and when people passing by offer to take the cart back to the caddy it is such a blessing to me even as little effort that that gesture takes. Do you have any other easy ways that busy moms can create the good? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments.

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