Teach Your Children About Charity

April 1, 2007 | By Marie In Finance |

It is quite rewarding and unselfish to be able to give to charitable organizations. Just look at te homeless and sick children around you and you will soon realize how fortunate you are to have what you need, while they are lucky to have one meal a day. Don’t you think it’s an opportunity to show your children the importance of helping out and giving to charitable institutions?

Most children do not know what they have until they see other children who are less fortunate. Your child’s school may have engaged in the Toys For Tots program, which is a worthy program. Maybe your child made a donation of one or two toys. If not, it is important to get your kids involved, no matter how small, in the charitable field. The exposure to others who have very little is a lesson every child should learn and understand.

Witnessing children from other countries on TV and their misfortune, while disheartening, does not permit your kids to truly relate to the problems these poor kids face. Why not take your kids to a children’s hospital; or talk to them about homeless shelters and who resides there may help them realize the need to share. Certainly, any of the programs in their school which involve helping the poor are explained to them by their teachers. However, it is the first hand experience that leaves a lasting impression.

It does not have to be a holiday - ask your kids to choose one toy to be given to a child in the hospital a few times a year. Your local charitable organizations can also give you the names of hospitals and other local chapters where your kids can donate their toys. It is important for them to get a glimpse of what poverty really is, and the effect it has on other children like them. No book or TV program can instill in them how fortunate they are as compared to other children.

Furthermore, once they have experienced giving to charities; they will most likely do so for the rest of their lives. Children and charity work is rewarding and teaches kids the value of what they have, and the responsibility they owe to others less fortunate then themselves.