Empty Handed
Dropping off your kids at your brother's house for the weekend?
That is what family says if you are inconsiderate. Summer is here. Kids visit here and there, but we cannot assume that because they are going to grandparents’ or auntie’s house, they will will be happily fed. Don’t drop off kids empty handed, even if your relative is taking care of them for just two days.
Food is expensive in cities. That is why some uncles and aunts make all kinds of excuses, when their relatives want to bring kids over. It’s not like rural communities where food comes from the land. Even then, rural people never visit empty-handed. They bring eggs, tomatoes, lettuce, beetroot, blue berries, apples, peaches, mango or whatever the land produces at the time. Some women bring freshly-baked bread, tea biscuits (scones) or pies. Avoid dropping off your kids with soda, potato chips or candy. They have that at home.
1. Bring a tub of strawberries since they are in abundance during the summer.
2. Bring a box of nectarines. They are usually 12 in a box.
3. Bring one watermelon and show older kids how to safely slice it.
4. It’s not Halloween, but bring a medium sized pumpkin for your sister who has your kids for the weekend.
5. Bring a six-pack of bagels or muffins.
6. Swing by the bakery and buy 4 loaves of whole wheat/brown bread and tell your sister to freeze them.
“Auntie, this is for you.”
Yes, kids feel grown-up when they are the ones handing over the gifts. But most of all, it teaches them not to visit relatives empty-handed.
Nonqaba waka Msimang
Blogger Without Borders
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