Diary of a First Time Mom is excited to partner with The Motherhood and The Fred Rogers Company to promote #BeMyNeighborDay. I have received some form of compensation for this campaign. However, all opinions remain my own.  

It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day for  a neighbor, Would you be mine? Could you be mine?

As I sing this song in celebration of Mister Rogers’ birthday today, I yell out, yes! I was in fact Mister Rogers’ neighbor. As a matter of fact, this morning I had a meeting about Kidsburgh at WQED-TV–the PBS affiliate where the man most famous for being friendly taped his television show. When I was two-years-old–the same age as my daughter Caitlynn, I met Mister Rogers in person. I nearly peed my pants with excitement! My aunt, a renowned preschool teacher and good friend of who she called Fred, introduced me. We even shared a snack.

Not too long ago, I learned Mister Rogers was being replaced–with a tiger! I’m a bit embarrassed to admit, that at 36, my feelings were hurt. Who could replace the most popular person in Pittsburgh–make that the world. When Mister Rogers was alive, even he could not find a predecessor.

Then, Caitlynn asked to watch Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on my iPad. I logged on and pulled up an episode. One of the characters looked like my daughter! She was a pretty brown girl with afro puffs. I was starting to feel better about this new neighborhood. After watching one program, Caitlynn exclaimed that it was her favorite show and that she really liked Daniel. Perhaps as much as Cailou. And you know what, I did too!

That’s why I was excited to learn that the United Way of Allegheny County, in partnership with The Fred Rogers Company and WQED, is hosting “Be My Neighbor Day”  this Saturday, March 22, 2014. Four YMCA locations (Baierl Family YMCA Sewickley, Western Area YMCA Coraopolis, Penn Hills YMCA and Thelma Lovett YMCA Hill District) will host a variety of fun, free, family-friendly activities to give children the opportunity to practice being neighborly. And the best part–Daniel Tiger will make his first Pittsburgh appearance as part of the event. Families work on crafts together that benefit local communities and participate in YMCA Healthy Kids activities. Additionally, in honor of Rogers’ favorite attire, families are encouraged to bring a new or gently worn sweater, which will be distributed to needy families throughout the region.

Tips for Being Neighborly

Volunteer

Check out your local food bank, library or neighborhood park for opportunities for your family to contribute, whether it is going through your house with your preschooler and donating extra canned goods or old books  or helping plant brand-new trees!

Play Outside & Make New Friends

Bring your young children for a fun visit at the neighborhood playground, so they can make new friends and interact with old friends, too.

Ask to help

When your family sees someone who might need a hand, offer it!  Work together with an elderly neighbor who needs extra assistance in their yard or even have your preschooler help take care of a friend’s pet while they’re away on an end-of-summer trip.  You can also just talk with your child about times when you helped someone in need.

Smile and Say Hello

Sometimes the littlest things makes the biggest difference!  When you are walking through your own neighborhood with your kids, greet passing neighbors with a friendly smile and a “hello” – you might just brighten someone’s day!

Make Coupons for Giving

Help your child create homemade paper coupons for kind and helpful acts, like “a hug,” “help with household chores” or “reading a book to a younger sibling.

Won’t you be my neighbor and attend this exciting event? Find out all the details by logging onto www.bemyneighborday.org. In the meantime, share in the comment box below how you teach your child to be neighborly.