Teaching My Kids How to Help Others

Teaching My Children How to Help Others in Need

Teaching My Kids How to Help Others

A few years ago, I was eating dinner with my children before we headed off to church. We were talking and enjoying our meal, when a man walked up to me and asked me if I had a few dollars to give him so that he could get something to eat. I told him that I didn’t have any cash on me. Of course, my kids spoke up and said yes you do mommy. I was a bit humiliated because I felt as if they were trying to catch me in a lie. Normally, I don’t carry a ton of cash in my wallet and use my debit card every where I go.

So I told the man that I could use my debit card to buy him something to eat. His frown quickly turned into a smile and I went up to the counter to get him a couple of items off the dollar menu. I handed him his bag of food and he thanked me. After he left I had a talk to my children, typically, I don’t always like giving cash to everyone who asks for it. However, I am not against meeting the needs of others as long as I have it. I felt good knowing that the man had a good meal to eat that evening and that I was able to help him.

I wanted to share my story to help other people get over the stigma of helping others.

Disclosure: This story was sponsored by GiveForward and Sverve. I hope this story inspires you and your family to get involved in helping others.

Did you know that a major medical accident or illness could easily wipe out your savings, even if you have health insurance, leaving you scrambling to make ends meet? If this happened to you, a family member, or a close friend, how would you handle this situation?

Learn About GiveForward – A Fundraising Tool to Help Families in Need

GiveForward is the world’s #1 medical fundraising site. We help friends and family come together and support a loved one in need. Since 2008, we have helped families raise over 100 million to help cover their expenses during hard times. Their goal is to help others in a time of need and know that you could be blessed with unexpected joy when others come to your aid to help you.

If you are ever faced with this situation, I want you to know that you aren’t alone and that there are people out there who are willing to help others who don’t have enough money:

  • for medical expenses including travel, medical equipment, and animal services
  • out of pocket living expenses for an illness or injury
  • fund a terminal patients bucket list
  • funeral or memorial expenses

After you create your campaign, GiveForward has a team of fundraising coaches to ensure that each family doesn’t feel alone in the process and they are transparent with their fees associated with raising enough money for your campaign. Each family in need doesn’t have to worry about covering the fees, all fees are paid from by the donors who are willing to help fund your event. Not everyone knows how to help others in need and this is why I chose to share my story above.

I started my blog as a way to share my own knowledge and to help encourage others so I wanted to share this great resource with you, in case, you are faced with an unexpected illness, injury, or even a loss in the family.

Don’t forget to check out GiveForward’s new ambassador program.

13 Ways for Your Children Get Involved and Help Others in Need

A months ago, I shared a post on how to get your kids involved in learning how to help others in need. I wanted to share a few other ideas. I have always tried to teach my kids to help others at a very early age. I wanted to instill good values in my children but I also want them to grow up to be caring, compassionate adults. Here are a few ideas to get your children involved in helping others:

  • raise money and send it to World Vision or Compassion International to help kids in other countries
  • hold the door open at the store or restaurant
  • working at the food pantry
  • paying for the next order in the drive thru or at a restaurant
  • send a note or card to the elderly across the street
  • walk the neighbors dog
  • pick up trash at their favorite park
  • collect food or toiletries to deliver to the food pantry
  • donate their old toys that are in good condition to other kids in need
  • collect teddy bears or other stuffed animals and deliver it to the children’s hospital
  • stuff socks with a few snacks to pass out to the homeless
  • pick up extra school supplies and give them to the principal at school to give to students who can’t afford new school supplies
  • and the list goes on and on.

Have you taught your child/children how to help others without expecting anything in return?

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Comments

12 responses to “Teaching My Children How to Help Others in Need”

  1. TiaMaria Avatar

    I love this post! I wish I would have known about this program when my fiance’s father had his fall a few years ago. We cleaned out our savings to help him and we’re still playing catch up from that. I was raised that you always do for family, but sometimes you’re in tight spaces too. Organizations like this are a wonderful blessing. And what great ideas and tips for getting our kiddos involved as well! I like to know that we’re raising my son to be kind and compassionate 🙂

    1. Christy Avatar

      Thank you so much Tia. I am glad that there are organizations like this to hep others. I think it is important that parents teach kids to be involved because it helps teach them that society isn’t all about ME syndrome. I know that my daughter has helped at the food pantry, with kids at church, and I want my boys to do to the same thing.

      I want my kids to raise compassionate, loving kids too and the only way for that to happen is to show them. My grandmother/grandpa were awesome examples of service, they were heavily involved in ministries at their church. I still remember they took me to help one afternoon at their church, they passed out bread to people who couldn’t afford something as simple as bread. That memory is still etched in my head as a grown adult.

  2. Mrs. AOK Avatar

    I absolutely love this post! First off that picture of the kiddos–CUTE!
    I’m glad your kids were able to see kindness in action, living kindness is the best way for children to learn kindness.
    You’re doing a great job, mama!
    XO

    1. Christy Avatar

      Thank you so much. I tried finding a photo of them together when my older kids were younger. I could only find one’s from our wedding day, they look so young and innocent.

      I agree living kindness and compassion is very important. Thank you for stopping by and visiting. 😉

  3. Rabia @TheLiebers Avatar

    What a great lesson to teach your kids! We see a lot of panhandlers in the parking garage near our church. I don’t like giving people money, but I’ve usually got a box of granola bars in my van I can offer if someone is hungry.

    1. Christy Avatar

      Thank you Rabia, I was actually glad that my kids called me out on it. I was a single mom at the time and I didn’t always have a ton of extra money to spare. It tugged at my heart strings and I felt like I should help this man.

  4. Marielle Altenor Avatar

    I try to teach my son about giving and sharing with those in need. Which is why one a year we go through his toys and have him pick out a few that he would like to give away.

    1. Christy Avatar

      Marielle that is a great way to give back. When we clean out our closets, I always bag it up and take it to those boxes in the parking lots so that they go to people who need them.

  5. Michellette "Mimi" Green Avatar

    I too try and be an example to my children by helping out others. In a world that seems so selfish it is a must that we teach out children to give back. Kudos to you and the kids. They force us to do the right when we are unsure sometimes.

    1. Christy Avatar

      I agree with you Michellette, my kids put me on the spot and forced me to help the man. I don’t like being selfish and try to think of others who don’t have as much as we have.

  6. Dominique Goh Avatar

    I too find that this is a great chance for children to learn how to give back to society and to help those in need.. great cause!!

    1. Christy Avatar

      Very true, thank you Dominique. 😉