GIVE AWAY: A NEW HOLIDAY TRADITION by Colleen Langenfeld
As the holidays approach this year and gift-giving
(and shopping) begins, I can recognize one true fact:
My kids don't NEED anything.
That being said, I still want them to learn about the
blessings of giving and receiving. I also want them to
learn about personal limits. I especially want them to
learn that not everyone has it so good. Moreover, that leads
into learning that they have a responsibility to others.
If you are interested in teaching your kids similar
values, here's a simple exercise that can get them
thinking along these lines.
Go through their room and belongings - together -
and create a giveaway box.
'Oh, I do that regularly', you may say. Great! But
this time, do it intentionally, and with your child.
Maximize the teaching benefits such a time provides:
- Your child will probably be getting new stuff for
the holidays. Fill a box with the toys, clothes and such
that no longer fit, are used up, or are broken. Talk to
your child about sharing the wealth!
- Fix what you can and donate it. By doing this WITH
your child, they learn about thrift, value and recycling.
It's a wasteful society that says something only has
value when it's new. In addition, it's satisfying to
make something be useful again.
- Follow through on your donations...together! Let your
child research charities that are gathering toys for the
holidays. Let your child figure out the details of getting
that box of clothes to the right group whom can put it to
use. Kids are hungry for leadership roles; let them
organize a neighborhood clothes or toy drive for the needy
in your area. (Remember to lend your adult supervision to
all of their efforts!)
- Talk about the toys they got last year at the holidays.
Are they still playing with them? Why or why not? This is
another great way to get your kids thinking about the
value of their possessions. Talk about how many hours it
took to work last year to have the kind of holiday your
family enjoyed. Ask your child if they would be willing to
work that long for someone else's enjoyment.
- Create ways for your children to give to others. Once
they're thinking about helping, it's natural for kids to
come up with simple solutions to the problems they see.
Some of those gently-worn clothes could be sold at the
local consignment shop and the money used to buy a Christmas
dinner for a family that wouldn't otherwise have one. Those
no-longer needed books and puzzles can be cleaned up and
given to the local homeless shelter. And on and on!
- After the clean-up work is done, have your kids create
their wishlists for this upcoming holiday season. Talk about
a family budget and what is reasonable for 'stuff'. Consider
encouraging everyone to forfeit one item on their list and
then use that money to improve another family's holiday
season.
By doing this regular 'chore' as a family project, you can
share your values with your precious children and start a
holiday tradition that can have tremendous meaning for your
family for years to come!
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Colleen Langenfeld delivers deals, tips and
creative resources to working moms who want
the most out of their homes, families and
careers at http://www.paintedgold.com . Sign
up for our f*ree newsletter and get an
online Creativity Toolkit as our gift to you!
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