One of the best things we can do with our time is to help other people. Of course, that might sound a little too much like a platitude, but its truth remains all the same. No matter if it’s driving our friend to their doctor’s appointment, litter picking in our local neighbourhood, or fundraising for an important cause, giving your time to help others is a fantastic act of service.
As such, it’s important to teach our children the same lesson. Not everything we choose to do in life can be in service of ourselves, even if we do have to look after number one from day to day. Learning to care for others and to volunteer your time (when you can give it) helps complete you as a person and feels deeply satisfying to take part in, also.
As such, teaching your children this important life skill is not only healthy, it’s important. It can help them become better people, more interested in the plights of others and what impact they can have for the better.
In this post, we’ll discuss how to perfect that lesson in the best possible way:
Encouraging Empathy
It’s always healthy to encourage empathy in your children. After all, while empathy tends to be a natural emotion and perspective for many, it’s not always that we’re taught the importance of acting on it or knowing when is best to do so.
Empathy is sometimes about helping someone in the best way rather than helping them no matter what. Empathy can also include just becoming aware of the issues and not turning a blind eye.
That doesn’t mean you have to levy all the problems of the world, of which there are many, on the shoulders of your children. Nor does it mean you have to be naive, such as welcoming someone you don’t know into your home or getting too close to people who you may not be able to predict. But it can certainly mean showing the value of donating, valuing time, and showing the good it does can be very helpful, and it may inspire your little ones to carry this out throughout their lifetime.
Moreover, it’s also important to tie the idea of doing good to the idea of being good and healthy, as something you do for others and not to self-aggrandize.
Exploring Charities & Services Designed To Help
It’s always helpful to explore charities and services designed to maximize the good in the best way. For example, not only learning how to donate but how to volunteer your time, fundraise, or simply understand the mission and awareness being spread by such organizations is very helpful.
This can also inspire your child to think about the issues that are important to them. After all, no one person can ever contribute to every single issue in need of resources to address them. For example, if you have a family member who may have a disease or condition such as ME, then it’s good to learn about that, show certain charities in that space, the work they do, and perhaps even donate or help with banners at school or tying that into a school project.
When it comes to charity, simply being aware is always the halfway step to helping.
Getting Involved In The Community
It’s important to get involved in the community because charity is not just how you donate for issues around the world but also what you do for those near you. Getting involved in the community might mean volunteering for a special community night, like baking cakes and selling them at the local fundraiser for someone in the community.
While it’s true that not everyone is religious, and you don’t have to be at all to get involved, local churches, mosques, synagogues, and more can do amazing work in their local communities, welcoming anyone who gets involved. This can be a wonderful place to get involved with your child – or at least learn where your direct effort will be most appreciated.
Bonding & Feeling Satisfaction In Selfless Help
It’s important to show examples of where charity works. Some charities have lifelong missions to help reduce issues that, unfortunately, will probably never completely solve the issue. For example, ending poverty worldwide is an essential goal, but it will probably take more than our lifetimes to achieve.
However, that doesn’t mean individual cases of resolution cannot be celebrated. From showcasing how your local foodbank helps people eat each week to showing how an animal shelter can keep its doors open through donations, demonstrating the value of little wins to your child is absolutely essential – emphasizing the value of selfless help.
With this advice, you’re sure to teach your children the value of service in the best possible light.