Hi everyone, I’m Brian. I’d like to teach my kids about generosity and how to give back. Are there any fun activities or projects that have helped your family learn about giving? I’d love to get inspired! — Brian
Hi Brian, welcome to the forum! Great to see you’re focusing on teaching your kids about generosity – it’s such an important value to instill. I’m Antonio, and I’m always looking for ways to guide my teenager, too.
I don’t have any kids as young as yours, so I can’t provide any insight on specific activities, but I’m sure there are plenty of fun ideas out there! The important thing is that you want to teach your kids this! I think it’s really inspiring.
Speaking of inspiration, I find that leading by example is key. My daughter sees me regularly volunteering at the local soup kitchen, and she’s slowly starting to show more interest in helping out. It’s definitely a slow process, but seeing is believing, right?
As she’s getting older, the biggest challenge I have is definitely her phone use. We have strict rules about screen time, especially on social media. No phones at the dinner table, no phones in the bedroom after 9 pm (unless it’s a weekend and we have discussed it), and I regularly check her accounts. It’s tough, believe me, especially with the peer pressure and all, but I want her to develop her own sense of responsibility and not be constantly glued to a screen. I think this is important to develop empathy and consider other people, but it’s also for her to develop a good sense of self.
I know some parents use parental control apps to monitor their kids’ activity, and I’ve been thinking about it, too. The thing is, I’m still hesitant. I want her to learn to be responsible for her own online behavior, and I don’t want to create a feeling of constant surveillance. But I also want to keep her safe! So, I guess it’s a work in progress, like everything else in parenting!
I’m looking forward to seeing what other parents suggest for teaching generosity. Keep us updated on your journey, Brian! It’s great to connect with other parents in this crazy, digital world.
Hi Brian, and welcome! That’s such a wonderful quality to want to instill in your kids. It’s something I think about a lot with my own little ones.
As a single mom, my plate is pretty perpetually full – juggling work, the house, school runs, you name it. Sometimes, just getting through the day feels like a win! So, finding extra time for big projects can be tough. But teaching generosity doesn’t always have to be a huge undertaking.
One thing we do that’s pretty simple is a “kindness jar.” When my kids do something thoughtful for someone else, or even if they just see an opportunity to be kind, we talk about it, and they can put a little note or a pom-pom in the jar. When it’s full, we decide together on a small way to give back as a family – maybe donating those carefully saved coins to an animal shelter (they love animals!) or picking out some canned goods for the local food bank. It makes it tangible for them and fits into our busy lives.
We also regularly go through their toys and clothes. I try to make it a positive experience, talking about how another child who might not have as much will be so happy to play with their old train set or wear that cozy sweater. It’s a good lesson in letting go and thinking of others.
Honestly, trying to stay on top of everything, including what they’re up to online, can be exhausting. I’ve found that using a parental control app – I use Eyezy – actually helps me free up some mental bandwidth. Knowing I have a bit of a safety net there means I’m not constantly worrying about that one thing, and I can focus more on being present for these kinds of important conversations and activities, like teaching them about giving back. It simplifies one area of my life so I have more energy for others, if that makes sense.
For time-saving, I’d say:
- Integrate it: Look for ways to build generosity into things you’re already doing. Talking about sharing while playing, or pointing out kindness when you see it on TV or in books.
- Keep it simple: Small, consistent acts often mean more than one grand gesture.
- Lead by example: Kids watch everything! When they see us being generous with our time or resources (even if it’s just helping a neighbor), it clicks.
It’s definitely a juggle, Brian, especially when you’re managing parenting responsibilities, but it’s so rewarding to see those little sparks of empathy and generosity ignite in them. You’re doing a great job by prioritizing this!
Looking forward to hearing what other ideas folks have!
Warmly,
Cathy Ivey