How do we teach children about giving?

“Mom, can I please get these Legos.  I’ve been a really good listener.”

“We’re here to get a birthday present for Jack.  You can ask for those for your birthday.”

“But mom, I haven’t gotten new Legos in a long time, can I please…..”

“You’ll have to wait for your birthday or ask Santa.  Now let’s pick something for Jack.”

“But I said please and I’ll never ask again!”

Tears were starting to well up and a melt-down was eminent.  I smiled.  It was nice to hear someone else having the same conversation that I have had too many times to even count.

Our children are growing up during a time of great abundance.  If one store happens to be out of something (which it rarely is), you only have to drive a little farther to find a store where it is in stock.  Or you go online where everything you could ever dream of is at your fingertips.  Through their eyes acquiring the things that you need and want seems virtually effortless.  It’s hard for them to imagine that there are people who struggle to put food on the table three times a day.

Giving back is such an important life lesson.  It’s very easy to see the benefit to the recipient when you donate clothes, food, toys, money or your time to help a worthy cause.  Not only do you help them, but it makes you feel pretty good knowing that you are making a difference.  Take it a step further, the next time you are having a bad day, one that is hopelessly terrible in every way, find a minute to do something nice for someone else.  You’ll not only make someone else feel great, you’ll realize your day isn’t so hopeless and terrible after all.

To help our kids learn this lesson we started with small things, donating their old toys and clothes “to the babies”.  In preschool we brought food for the food drive to give to people who don’t have enough to eat (that is a tough one for them to wrap their brain around).  During the holidays we picked a name off a tree and bought presents for a foster child.  Explaining to my 4 year old that this little girl didn’t live with her mommy and daddy and that we were going to buy her presents for Christmas brought tears to my eyes.

Now I feel like it’s time to do a little more.  At 9 and 5 years old I think they are ready to put in a little elbow grease.  My challenge has been finding age appropriate opportunities for younger kids.  One local food bank allows kids to help starting at 5 years old with a parent.  We will definitely be doing that in the upcoming month. 

How do you teach your children about giving?  Do you have a favorite activity?  Please leave a comment below, share your ideas.  We’d love to hear what’s working for you.

Heart-FULLy yours, 

Kacey