10 Easy Ways to Make Your Kids More Charitable

Parenting

by Lamar Tyler | on April 30th, 2010 | 3 comments

comptonrock

by Tara Pringle Jefferson

I’ve been reading Malaak Compton-Rock’s book, If It Takes A Village, Build One, in an effort to always get more know-how about starting my own nonprofit (yes, I know I don’t have time to add anything to my plate – I’m working on it!)

One thing that she keeps coming back to in the book is the need to involve our children in efforts to make the world is a better place. My kids (at 3 years old and 1 year old) are already getting lessons in how to give back. We pack up toys and old clothes to donate to domestic violence shelters. They help me pick out which clothes are too small and help me put them in boxes. It feels good to know that my husband and I are planting the seeds, raising kids who will grow up with a mindset that it’s about so much more than just them.

In the book, she lists 10 ways to get your kids more charity-focused:

1. Talk about the news with them.
2. Let them know that no matter where you live, there’s somebody in need in your own neighborhood.
3. Volunteer together in an area soup kitchen or shelter.
4. Do a family walk-a-thon.
5. Find ways to protect the environment, including recycling.
6. Sponsor a child.
7. Make family donations through Heifer International (an organization that allows you to buy a farm animal – goat, cow, chicken, etc – for a family in need).
8. Organize a canned food or warm coat drive together.
9. Give money together.
10. Introduce your children to activism by taking them to rallies, protests, demonstrations and meetings.

I think these are all good tips and I plan on doing most of these with my kids. As soon as they’re old enough, they will come with me to volunteer at neighborhood food banks or homeless shelters.

What do you do with your kids to inspire them to give back?

Tara Pringle Jefferson is a freelance writer and blogger living in Ohio with her husband and two children. Visit her blog, www.theyoungmommylife.com, to read more of her observations about life, motherhood and love.

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

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Comments (3)

{JeLisa} @ Blogging Ever After Friday - 30 / 04 / 2010 Reply

This was great! I can't wait to volunteer with my kids the way my mom did with my brother and I. And to have them help my husband and I sponsor a child. I have always loved the idea of little fingers dropping dimes and pennies into a jar for charity's sake. That is an absolutely beautiful lesson to teach a child. .-= {JeLisa} @ Blogging Ever After´s last blog ..Another Step Toward A Perfect 31 =-.
Anna Friday - 30 / 04 / 2010 Reply

Charity really does start at home. My kids were never ones to bring home stray dogs, but stray "kids". I am guilty of giving more attention to the strays my kids brougtht home than my own kids at times.(these kids are still apart of our family). My kids were blessed with having the "Village" that still continues to surround them in their lives. My kids inspire me with their charitable contributions. I write a check but they are "hands on". My daughter helped build a home for "humanity" while in college. My other daughter although for college credit hours volunteered at "Big Brothers, Big Sisters, The Boys and Girl Club and The Salvation Army. My son's charitable contributions? He still brings home strays. LOL. My kids have gone to rallies with me. They do love to put money in a kettle or a can for a cause. Kids do have food drives to get into a dance for free. My kids look in the pantry at this time of the year because our Postal Service will pick up parishables on May 8th to fight hunger. I picked up some extra items at the grocery store today for the Postal Service Food Drive. You are never to young to care or give to someone less fortunate. I do have to add because it's weird and funny. My last born is a very giving, lovmg person. Someone needed a ride and this woman that we know and love said to my baby that she needed to make a stop down the street. My daughter listens to her elders and realized the place down the street was a funeral home. This woman had my baby attending "A Wake" for someone she did not even know. Now that deserves a "WOW. LOL.
Staycee2 Tuesday - 04 / 05 / 2010 Reply

My 12 year old daughter and I watched "American Idol Gives Back" together and she couldn't believe the poverished families they showed... Therefore, she just sat there with her mouth wide open in total disbelief... So I picked up my cellphone and gave it to her to send the text to give the $10 donation they were asking of the viewers. Then I asked her to go get her cellphone and do the same. I then told her you are truly blessed and she totally agreed!!!!!!

10 Easy Ways to Make Your Kids More Charitable

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