Having an au pair is one way families put their values into practice, teaching their children about the value of diversity and acceptance, about how to relate to different cultures in their futures, and about how the meaning of the word ‘family’ can include people who live far away.

There is an organization in the Twin Cities that also helps families raise children who are thoughtful about the world around them. Doing Good Together helps families find opportunites to work together to make the world a better place – everything from helping animals to advocating for social justice, and everything in between. They even give ideas for small random acts of kindness, such as leaving quarters at a vending machine for the next person to use, or writing a note to someone to let them know you care. It’s a wonderful resource for all families!

If you’re looking for something to do on a rainy day, go to http://www.bigheartedfamilies.org/ and pick a project to do. They give you all the information you need, including appropriate ages of children, so it makes it super easy for everyone!