Coming home the other day from work there was an individual holding up a sign, the gist of the sign was that this person hadn't eaten in a couple of days and needed money for food. I know this problem exists, but then again I wasn't born yesterday. As cars passed him by I gave him a look over, he was carrying a backpack..he looked little raggedy but still looked well kept. That was at about 7am, at about 4:30pm I was driving with my daughter in the car and lo and behold we passed by the same man with the same sign, except he was on the opposite side of the street. I took this time to explain to my daughter about the man, and sometimes things aren't what they always appear to be. I wanted her to know that there were people that went without eating, but also there were people that were not exactly honest in their intentions. In the end I think we can only point out things to our children, but as they grow up it will be their responsibility to take the lessons we have taught them and use them or their own benefit.

Comments:

Teach your daughter charity.
She can become a cynic on her own time.
Believe me, she will.
Better to err on the side of charity,
than to pinch those pennies so hard that
the next time you pass by, you see him
dead on the sidewalk from starvation.
It happens.
Thank your God it isn't you.
Or your daughter.
Blessed Be.

I have read books about people who con others in this way. My friends often warn me about this. However, I find I can't take the chance that the person really does need help. If I'm conned, I'm conned. But if the person really needs it, I have to give him/her the means... Maybe I'm a soft touch, because I always buy the scout cookies, and team sport fund raiser candies, too. Actually, I give anyone anything they need if asked, which I guess isn't always wise. (I usually don't take the cookies or candies because then I'd eat them!)