Ways for kids to give back during the holidays
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 10:44AM Sorry, if you're looking for an actually list of WAYS, you're a bit early. Consider this more of a call for ideas.
You see, it felt really, really good to donate 6 pounds of our Halloween candy to oversees troops this weekend. 6 pounds of sweets that would otherwise have gone straight to my kids' teeth and my waistline. We actually hit a few extra houses towards the end of trick-or-treating just because we knew the candy would be going towards such a great cause. It made the whole experience much, much more fun.
Our family is so incredibly blessed. Although the economy sucks and we are living on the tightest budget ever in our married lives...
OK, so we're actually living on a budget for the first time in our married lives...how's that? The point is that it feels really, really good to GIVE.
SO, I'm on a mission to find other ways to give back over the upcoming holidays. I'm looking for things that my seven and four year old can do that will make an impression on them and an impact on others' lives.
I don't just want to give crappy canned goods that we will never eat. Or put spare change in the Salvation Army bucket. Or donate clothes we've already worn. We always do those things.
I'm thinking bigger.
I have a few thoughts...and will share once I research them more. Shut up! I'm a web researcher. Can't help it.
But right now, I really want to hear from the smartest, most generous people I know: YOU.
Please, please, please share your ideas. And don't be afraid to think BIG. We're just brainstorming and have plenty of time to figure out how to implement BIG ideas.
Those of you looking for a list. Check back later. I'll compile an actual list from our ideas.
Reader Comments (3)
Good for you with the spare change going into the kettles for the Salvation Army. That spare change goes towards helping fund ministry positions like my current one in outreaching to the youth in our metro area. An that money you give, STAYS in your metro area. All those coins add up into make a huge impact. Thank you for it!
In the past we have taken a name of a child off of a tree and purchased a new toy or clothing for a child that normally wouldn't have anything for the holidays. We have found these trees at banks, malls, our daycare center, churches, etc. It is a way to get them involved and to learn how good it can feel to give to someone else and not just receive. I also try to do this sort of thing throughout the year and not just during the holidays. For example, we have also purchased new teddy bears for abused children.
Let us know what other ideas you come up with. I am always looking for other ways to get my children involved in giving back!
Don't just use monetary contributions to role-model for your children. Give time. Don't reward your children for their giving. Represent the normalness of your giving - it is just part of your lifestyle, not seasonal.
Ask your children for their feelings about giving - without giving them the words of how it feels good. Children go through stages where they are not into giving (very self-centered). If they don't give the perfect answer or seem to begrudge the giving. Just push forward. Giving is part of life, and not for the reasons to be rewarded. In other words, I don't think you can talk them into it or train it effectively by correcting them. They will just give grudgingly because they have to.
Congrats on the Halloween canding giving. Perfect. Great going! Oooops, Shouldn't be complimenting you....taking it back. Your feelings are your reward. :)