Any child enjoys receiving gifts, but not all children are aware of the satisfaction that comes from giving them to those who are less fortunate. Be it toys, books, clothes, food, money, or volunteering time, the practice of charity can make a kid a responsible person with a kind heart. Here are a few guidelines for parents who want to raise philanthropic kids.
Explaining the Necessity of Charity
A child needs to understand at a young age that there is always someone who has less than them in order to grow up to be a big-hearted, charitable person. Therefore, it is up to the parents to discuss charity with their children in a way that is both understandable and applicable to their daily lives. Use your judgment about giving them the details on any particular topic, but try to make it meaningful.
Making Involvement an Everyday Affair
Charity starts at home! Ideally, close to home. In order to set an example for their children, parents of charitable children typically start at home by joining a local planning board or a charity program. Your kids’ school is the perfect place to engage them in charitable programs regularly.
Teaching Kids to Skip the Middleman
This little gesture goes a long way. A charity is always better if the donor and the beneficiaries can both benefit from it. It’s crucial for charitable children to experience the joy of giving on their own. Instead of just dropping things off at a volunteer organization, take your kids to the children’s hospital or homeless shelter yourself.
Let Your Kids Volunteer
For parents raising charitable kids, it’s important to let their kids take the lead eventually. Your child should gain some real-world experience without any steering supervision. Check with local senior homes, animal shelters, or soup kitchens, and let your kids have an effective volunteering experience.
Checking the Legitimacy of the Charity
It’s a highly important step in the practice of charity. Whether it’s your time or money, you should be aware of whether your donation is actually having a positive effect or is simply being wasted—or worse, corrupted! Just asking the front desk isn’t always enough. Learn to navigate your own way into it and teach your children how to do the same.
Snapping a Photo
It’s not all about boasting! You also don’t need elaborate Instagram captions. But a post on social media can be huge for charity causes. Snapping a photo or two of your charitable kids in action makes them more enthusiastic and also helps the cause by getting the word out and spreading active awareness.
