It isn’t easy to be a parent, there are many responsibilities that parents take on. One of a parent’s main responsibilities is to teach their children how to be sociable. How to be nice to others. How to be thoughtful.
During the holiday season reminders about being thoughtful are all around. Children’s schools have “giving trees”, places of worship ask for donations to local food banks, charity organizations have their annual donation drives, etc.
On the other hand, the holidays are often a time that we talk to our children about “their lists” and thinking about what they want for the holidays. You can’t go to a store without seeing “presents’ everywhere waiting for little hands to rip open.
So, while the holidays are a great time to think about being thoughtful it is also often one of the hardest times to remind our children about being thoughtful of others and not just themselves.
Luckily, there are many ways to help your children realize how lucky they are and to be thoughtful about those who are not so lucky. Whether they “adopt a child” collect hats and gloves for needy children, wrap up a present to send to a local children’s hospital or even purchase a present for a local Toy’s for Tot’s box children can learn a lot by choosing special treats for other children.
Whatever you choose to do, teaching your kids about thoughtfulness can’t hurt. And maybe they’ll even find a way to teach you something about it!
How do you teach your children about thoughtfulness? Do you have any special programs that your family gives time or energy to?
I love the idea of having your kids help round up their old toys to donate before Santa brings new ones. It requires sacrifice on their part, while teaching that it feels good to give. Christmas really is the perfect time to teach thoughtfulness; so many opportunities to give and reach out to others.
Thanks for sharing Carrie! Great idea. I’m going to institute a toy round up in my house for sure!
we are doing the toy round up this week as well as clothes and shoes that don’t fit anymore.
Great idea to have them participate in the round up! Thanks for sharing!
It’s a great time of year to share charitable giving with your kids, and get them to think about those that are less fortunate. We always adopt a family, and the kids help us shop for necessities for the kids (coats, mittens, etc.) and we donate a lot of our gently used toys and clothing before the holiday as well.
I recently started working with Kidworth a company that allows parents to set up goals with their kids online. This includes a ‘Share’ goal and they offer some great ideas for charities or you can pick your own. The idea is that family and friends can then come and donate towards your children’s goals. I love the concept and plan to encourage my family to donate to the kids’ goals this year instead of giving more stuff.
Kelly, I love the idea of sharing goals with family and friends. I’ll definitely take a look at the site!
I agree. We used http://www.shiftmygift.com for Sam’s 2nd birthday – which worked fine as he was too young to even care about presents! In the future, we will find ways to do more with less and give more than we receive
We are talking a lot about giving instead of receiving this year. My oldest seems to get it, but the little one is questionable!
Terrific ideas. It’s really important to show our kids the value of giving back. Thanks, Andrea!