Teach Your Children The Importance Of Giving
Many children have a hard time comprehending that not everyone in the world lives the way they do. Many little boys and girls do not have their own rooms and beds with Hannah Montana sheets, get to go to Disney World or the beach every summer. Some aren't thrown birthday parties complete with ice cream and piles of presents. It is easy for a child to take his or her fortune for granted and lack compassion for the majority of the world's population.
Teaching children to give back to the community and help the less fortunate is important because it can have an effect on their attitudes and behaviors toward others into adolescence or even adulthood. Experts agree that there are several, effective methods to demonstrate giving.
Stacey Bradford, author of The Wall Street Journal Financial Guidebook for New Parents, says that she began teacher her daughter giving by providing her with a weekly allowance. She then encouraged her daughter to have three piggy banks - one for saving, spending and giving.
In addition to just donating money, try including your children in hands-on activities like putting together a bag of food and taking it to the local food bank together. Oprah suggests making charity work a family affair so that a good example can be set for young ones.
Consider letting your children decide which charities to participate in based on their interests. The contributions do not have to involve money, for instance, the kids could make Christmas cards for the patients at the local Children's hospital.
