Raising Would-be Philanthropists Who Give For the Right Reasons

I feel this strong urge to write about this topic and spread some kindness in a world so painfully lacking in love and compassion. This is my way of inspiring mommies like me to raise socially-aware kids who will grow up knowing how to share what they have with other people.

It is kinda baffling for a simple person like me to realize that 90% of the world’s wealth is controlled by a mere 10% of the population. There is so much want and need around us and it will not hurt if we all do our share in helping the less fortunate in our own simple ways. As moms, our sphere of influence would be our homes, our families and communities, and that is where we should start doing this act of kindness.

Influencing our kids in such a way that they will learn to think of other people more than the average youngster does, is a fantastic way to spread kindness in this world. Aside from raising them as sympathetic, less self-centered individuals, making them aware of other people’s needs will also teach them to be more grateful for what they have.

I am sure most of us have that compassion or concern for other people, which unfortunately, gets lost amidst the sea of other matters and interests. So, let us just say, this effort is also as much for our kids as it is for us.

So, how do we go about doing this? – In simple ways with profound effects, I guess.

Regularly mention the topic in your conversations. For example, when you see a TV commercial of a charity organization talking about children in Africa dying of diarrhea and malnutrition, take that opportunity to open their eyes to these harsh realities in ways that they can understand.

We can encourage our kids to set aside a small amount from their daily allowance to give to a poor classmate, church mate or donate to charity. Allow them to identify someone they know who needs help and assign that person to be the would-be recipient of the donation.

Inspiring them with stories of other kids or individuals who practice kindness in their life is also another way of instilling this virtue in them.

Giving away their unwanted toys and clothes to others who need them is also another way to achieve this. Of course, it will also help a lot in our de-cluttering efforts around the house.

When teaching children to be more generous, it is important to emphasize to them that the act of giving is not about them but about the people they show kindness to. They can feel good about what they do, but it is not something to brag about. It is about making another individual see their true worth, and that, is a genuine act of kindness we all need more of these days.

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Tags: character development

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