Donuts, Leaves, and Kids

All those leaves.

When our son was a young teen we had a basketball net on the side of the driveway. I kept it in perfect shape.

All the kids in the neighborhood knew they could use it. They did.

They even had permission to knock on the door if a car was in the way and they wanted to play. They did.

Come fall with the leaves off our colorful maple making for a blanket on the front lawn, I stepped out to talk to a group of kids who gathered to play basketball.

I pointed to a half-dozen of those large garden bags. I told the kids I was going to the donut store (Tim’s) and would be back in about 20 minutes with a dozen mixed donuts.

I explained that whoever filled a bag first with leaves, would get first pick of a donut. Then I left.

When I got back, there was six bags filled to the brim with leaves. My front lawn was bare.

I asked the kids to line up according to who gets first choice of donuts. They did.

Those kids always played nicely, were respectful and helpful.

I never had to rake…. They did.

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I am Gary Direnfeld and I am a social worker. Check out all my services and then call me if you need help with a personal issue, mental health concern, child behavior or relationship, divorce or separation issue or even help growing your practice. I am available in person and by video conferencing.

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

gary@yoursocialworker.com
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Gary Direnfeld is a social worker. Courts in Ontario, Canada, consider him an expert in social work, marital and family therapy, child development, parent-child relations and custody and access matters. Gary is the host of the TV reality show, Newlywed, Nearly Dead, former parenting columnist for the Hamilton Spectator and author of Marriage Rescue: Overcoming the ten deadly sins in failing relationships. Gary maintains a private practice in Georgina Ontario, providing a range of services for people in distress. He speaks at conferences and workshops throughout North America. He consults to mental health professionals as well as to mediators and collaborative law professionals about good practice as well as building their practice.