ParentingHub

Let them see you give to others. Setting a good example is the best way to teach your children anything. If you want them to be generous but spend all your money on yourself or your own family, they are likely to follow your actions over your words. If you do give but try to keep your donations private, give your children opportunities to see what you’re doing.

Teach them how to give. Talk with them about how you decide how much to give and where to give. Teaching them to evaluate which causes are worthy and to balance giving with saving and spending is more valuable than simply telling them that they should be generous without giving any guidelines. Volunteer together. Generosity doesn’t always mean financial giving. Helping others, whether by volunteering through a non-profit organization or through personal acts of kindness, is a generous act. Volunteering helps children see that others have needs they can help fill and encourages them to think more of others and less of themselves.

Designate a portion of their pocket money to give away. One of the best methods my parents used to teach me money management was to divide my monthly pocket money into three parts, to put in three different piggy banks. Each week, I received R20.00 for me, R5.00 to save, and R5.00 for others. The going rate is now a bit higher, but parents can still divide pocket money into set amounts for those categories. Let your children decide how to spend the “for others” money, so long as they don’t spend it on themselves.

Help a child who is the same age as your own. At Christmas, choose an angel from a charity tree and let your child select the gift to buy. Alternatively, extend the giving throughout the year by sponsoring a child through Compassion, World Vision, or a similar organization. Letting your children write letters to their sponsored “siblings” will help them appreciate what they have and see those in need as real people.

Don’t discourage their generous acts. If your child wants to give away his favourite toy or ask for charity donations instead of birthday presents, don’t say no outright. Make sure he understands the sacrifice he’s making, and then let him do it. If he later regrets his choice, encourage him to continue giving to others but suggest some less painful ways to do it.

When you see your children acting generously, be sure to show your approval. Don’t minimize what they do; children may have less to give than adults, but their gifts can make a real difference. Plus, they are forming habits that will continue into adulthood, and their generosity may even encourage you to find more ways to help others!