Another useful tips for us parents:
Our generosity seems to kick in around the holidays, but charity in its best form is a yearlong — and lifelong — endeavor. The funny thing about giving back to your community is that once you start, it's hard to stop. Here's how to help children gain a positive attitude about charity.
Even small children can understand that others kids may not be as lucky as them. To that end, they can be encouraged to get into the habit of giving back to their community and sharing all that they have. If they receive or want a new toy, encourage them to part with an older toy that's in good shape and can be enjoyed by another child. The same goes for gently used clothes. When you're grocery shopping, show your children that you're buying an extra can or two as a food bank donation. At church or temple, explain to your kids where your donation goes and whom it helps. Giving back is a habit like anything else.
Some families encourage kids from a very young age to put aside money for charity. A standard rule of thumb is for any gift or allowance money to be divided into savings, charity and personal spending. You might want to encourage the giving part of the equation by matching the amount your children are donating to charity and helping them decide what charity to give to. To make their financial donation more concrete, explain how much money it takes to rescue one manatee that's been injured by a boat propeller, or to buy shoes or food for one child in Africa.
Holidays are, obviously, a great time to get your children involved in giving. Angel trees, where you leave needy children gifts of their choice, can often be found in shopping centers. Let your kids be the angels and choose the child they want to help. As youngsters read the gift requests, they may be shocked that so many children think getting a pair of pajamas is something special. Although your kids won't ever get to meet the gift receiver, they'll enjoy buying a special small toy to go with the practical gift. Another nice way to celebrate the holidays is to help serve a holiday meal at a homeless shelter or home for abused mothers.
As kids get older, they can begin to understand more clearly how their philanthropy has a positive impact and makes them feel worthwhile and connected to the larger world. It's a great self-esteem booster to be part of a cleanup effort at a local park or to see the happy faces of nursing home residents when you go to play checkers with them. If your children have a relative with breast cancer, they may feel helpless, but tell them they can hand out water to runners raising money to fight breast cancer, and they will feel powerful. In the end, that's what you want: children who know they are making a difference and are empowered by it.
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