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Little Esme Aspland unwrapped about $500 worth of cat biscuits and dog food for her first birthday. Why? Cause she has awesome parents!

Mum Rachelle asked her friends to bring donations to Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge for her baby daughter’s birthday because she already has everything she needs.

‘We had her first birthday on the weekend and people kept asking about what they could bring her,’ Rachelle told Daily Mail Australia.

‘I sat down and realised that she doesn’t really need anything. We had already given her everything that she needs.

‘She loves dogs and, after a bit of a think about it, I figured she would love to see the dogs and cats at the animal shelter.

‘So rather than asking for people to bring her presents, we asked that they bring cans of food and toys for the dog and things they can donate.’

Rachelle said the gesture was not about being mean or cheap, but instead an attempt to teach their daughter about the value of generosity.


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‘We just thought it was a nice idea rather than getting a house full of presents and clothes and stuff she won’t wear.

‘We’re just trying to teach her that it’s nice to give as well as receive.

‘As long as she has a roof over her head and dinner on the table, that’s what she should be happy with.

‘Rather than spend $30 on a present that would just sit in a cupboard, we just thought we’ll do something nice for her.’

As Esme gets older Rachelle said she will get more than cans of pet food as a present.

‘I’m sure we’ll reach a point where she will say what she can like,’ she says.

‘And we will always make sure she never goes without anything that she needs.’

However, her parents will also continue to teach her that giving a gift can be better than getting one.

‘If she grows up to know it’s better to give than receive, we’ve done our job as parents.

‘I think we’ll also always try and do something for her birthday where she is able to give back.’

Best. Parents. EVER!  This is an awesome thing to do. Have you ever done anything similar?

Share your comments below.

 

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Image via Daily Mail

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  • Maybe they should adopt a dog when the girl is old enough if she loves dogs. I would be one less the dog’s home has to cope with. She can take an interest in feeding and exercising the dog. Alternatively she might be fond of cats.
    I am sure the animal shelters will appreciate the donations. It seems strange to have the child opening all the packages of pet food.

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  • What a great idea – she is a little young to fully understand, but it’s a wonderful way for her to learn to share.

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  • What a wonderful idea. You never know what to buy these days as they seem to have everything they need.

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  • That is certainly different, thanks for sharing.

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  • What a lovely idea. I do think though, that at age 1 she may not have any understanding, memory or recollection of this. Perhaps when she’s a little older.

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  • Love the idea, however a kid that turns 1year old doesn’t have a clue I think.

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  • Nice story , and very generous, though I do believe, kids should get some gifts… part of childhood

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  • What a fantastic gesture!! It’s so true that children can receive too much on their birthdays and any c on tribute to animal shelter is a good start for a child to learn how to give. Well done parents.????????????????????

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  • I thought that this was going to be a bad parenting story but happily I was wrong.

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  • Wow now this story renews faith that there are caring loving humans out there.
    Well done and thank you.

    The little one may have received animal food/goodies but she got the joy of unwrapping them and visiting and donating the refuge. Win win.

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  • Hats off to the noble and generous act…. thank you guys on behalf of them…

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  • Well done to the parents!

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  • Oh! This is lovely. Her parents had such a great idea! You can see they are very caring people!


    • It is a lovely idea and a memorable moment.

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  • What a beautiful caring gesture. This little girl will grow up with such great values. A lot of parents give their children everything they want and don’t teach their children to give or share. These children are growing up selfish, let’s learn from this generous and loving family, well done! Plus such a great cause, so many unwanted pets that need to be cared for!

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  • No doubt she would have loved seeing the animals. She looks so happy in the photos.

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