“How come we don’t got a car?” is one of the questions CJ asks his grandmother on their way to the last stop on Market Street. Many of us have been asked similar questions by our own children and grandchildren: “Why don’t I have what they have?” “Did you have what I have?” How do you answer?

The world has changed over the years, but the stresses of “keeping up with the Joneses” have not. Kids (and adults too) struggle with comparing their lives and assets to that of others. The effort to resolve these differences can be overwhelming, and expensive. There is a lot to be said for the adults who face these questions head on, and at the same time, help their young people to see that there is more to life than material things. Simple timeless journeys – showing off the loveliness of nature with a walk in the park in a busy city, for example – have the wonderful effect of opening young minds to the possibilities for growth amongst hardship, and life outside of material things. Grandparents are an invaluable resource when it comes time to navigate those difficult questions. Everyone, at any age, can connect and relate with the fact that, sometimes, for all you want, there is still so much that you have, and still even more that you can give.

Now, here’s an exercise you can download and pass on to the questioning CJ in your life. Have your child interview a grandparent or loved one about their experiences over the years and what they have seen. The goal of the exercise is to capture, for a moment, another loving-yet-real, perspective of the world. Encourage the child to come up with their own questions to ask!

Invite the grandmas and grandpas in your world to see LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET March 21-April 5, and don’t forget to have some fun at BALLOONACY coming up April 18!

Family bonding time is great at a DCT play.  Buy tickets at dct.org!