Taking time during the summer to teach your children is something that we often do as parents. I try to do it so that it is fun and possibly sneaky! I’m focusing on teaching my daughter about donating.
photo credit: Doug Aghassi / Dougit Design
Her toy box is full to the brim with toys and games she no longer uses. She has small Disney toys that she used to play with and then decided to keep as a collection, but now those are taken over with newer video games, books, trading cards and stuffed animals. She just has too much. I don’t want her to sell her things or trade them, instead I want her to give them away. I want her to learn how it feels to give from the heart, to help people in need.
- We have a local thrift store that we learned about through our church. I make donations there and have brought her with me when I’ve done that and to shop there. She has met the men and women that have been helped through their programs and the Pastor who oversees the programs. We are going to go through some of her belongings and donate them to this local charity.
- Next, we are going to give away some of her puzzles and craft supplies to the nursing home where my aunt resides at now. This will help her see her items being used by people she knows.
- We’ll also gather some books for her school library. We can bring them there this summer. Again, she’ll get to see them “in action”.
- Another idea I’ve come across is ClutterClast. Darryle Pollack has begun this trend on her blog. What you do is take a photo of an item, put it on your blog with a story about it. Then wait for comments of what to do with it. Someone may want it for themselves, or to give it to a friend. You mail it off to them. They take a photo of themselves and the item and send it to you so you can post it on your blog. This is a lot of work for me right now, but if my daughter is willing to do it, I’ll help her here. If you’re interested, you can sign up for ClutterClast on Ning.
The fun part comes in when my daughter feels what it’s like to give and feel good about it. The thrift store may be the hardest but if I bring her to make her donation in person, I’m sure that she will be told and shown how important her gift is.
How do you teach your children to give or donate?
Great information! I just tweeted it too!
Love your site Connie!!!! YOU ROCK!!
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We do this too. In fact, we need to do it again this summer. Thanks for the ClutterClast info. That sounds like a fun idea but like you, I may not have the time to do it. Plus, I have to replace my camera first.
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Connie,
What a really interesting concept. I think that you have stumbled onto something really wonderful. I know that we are going to try and teach Eva the importance of donating, she already enjoys visiting the nursing home to see all her friends.
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When children discover the wonderful spirit of giving early in life, it follows them as they grow.
We have a rubbermaid tub that is the designated “donate this” box in the house. We’ve made such a habit of donating things the kids insist that the box be up year round for them to add things to. When there’s enough to fill up a bag we go to one of 2 local thrift shops to donate, one supports retired veterans and the other supports children’s hospitals.
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We have taken some things to the local hospice that cared for my mother, but I really need to get the kids more involved now that they’re older.
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We constantly have a donate pile in our spare bedroom. Try something on and it doesn’t fit? Donate. Find something in the closet that you haven’t used in a year? Donate. It feels so good to drop off a bag of perfectly good items that others can use, and our local Goodwill is so thankful for all donations.
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Thanks for the tweet and kind words Danna!
Isn’t Clutterclast exciting, JMom? I just had to share it.
BenSpark, I know that you’re teaching Eva all of the wonderful things she needs to know! I can’t wait to meet her and see that pretty smile in person.
Very true Pat. I’m trying to teach her early on and hope that it sticks.
Retta, that’s great that you’ve started donating so soon. What a organized way to do it too.