4 Ways You Can Encourage Kindness From Your Children

We want to give our children the world, and often they’re spoiled by parents, family, and friends. It’s the time of year when our children start writing their letters to Santa and getting excited about the Christmas festivities and the presents they’ll receive. It can be difficult for children to grasp that there are people less fortunate than themselves and that kindness to others is important. That’s why it’s a great idea for parents to take the opportunity to teach children about kindness and giving to others. Here are four ways you can do it.

Pixabay

Christmas Shoe Boxes

There are many charities that collect Christmas gifts around this time of year. Some charities distribute them to the homeless or the elderly, but many collect gifts for underprivileged children, so they have something to wake up to on Christmas Day. Why not ask your children to go through their old toys and donate some that are still in good condition? Some charities will accept selection boxes or candy treats if you’d prefer to buy something. It’s a great way to get your children into the spirit of giving.

Let the Kids Choose

You may be surprised by how a TV advert or something that happened at school could affect your child. It’s worth talking to your children to find out if there are any causes or organizations that they want to get involved in. The more passionate your children are about something, the more likely they are to get involved. Perhaps your child has a special skill or talent that could benefit a cause or raise money. Raising money for charities will give your children a sense of achievement and they’ll be more likely to repeat the gesture in the future.

Pixabay

Help the Community

Children and parents are a big part of the community, and the better the community, the more prospects for the children. For example, a simple bake sale in the center of a town could raise enough money for modular rock climbing panels in the local play area. Holding events in the local community center will mean children of all ages and all schools can get involved in fundraising to ensure they have everything they need in the community. It doesn’t just have to be about the children either. For example, one local community in Michigan came together to buy a vegetable patch. Some of the elderly residents were put in charge of growing the fruits and veg, while the children were allowed to visit and learn about how to grow them and when to harvest them.

Feed the Homeless

If your children are a little bit older, feeding the homeless is an ideal opportunity for them to see life from a different perspective. Soup kitchens are often looking for volunteers in the run up to Christmas when the weather is often bitter and harsh. Helping out in the kitchen and talking to some of the homeless who eat there can significantly open your eyes to new realities.

Are you ready for the challenge?

Disclosure: This is a contributed post.