Day Five Question:
Do you volunteer during the holidays? How do you teach your children the true meaning of Christmas?
Every year I say I'd like to start volunteering at a Soup kitchen for the holiday's, but every year I never do. I don't know why; I always blame it on being too busy. Too busy with work, too busy with kids, too busy with real life.
But I wish I could get out there and show my children people who have it worse off than we do, and try to show them the *real* meaning of Christmas.
To me, Christmas is about family, and friends, and the joy you get in spending time with them on the special day. It's not about the amount of the presents under the tree, or whether Santa bought what you wanted. I think kids are so hard pressed to see that, and are stuck with the "I want this" mentality and can't see the bigger picture.
I would love to be able to show my children the true meaning of Christmas. I think my 11 year old gets it, but my 12 year old soooo does not get it. Anyone want to give me ideas how to teach them the true meaning? I've heard of parents donating one of each of their children's toys to a Children's Hospital or something like that, and I've always thought that was a good idea. Maybe I should implement that this year!
18 comments:
I am the exact same way! My daughter actually recieved a bunch of gifts last christmas from the hospital...and I thought it was special that a young boy went around and passed out gifts personally to patients in the ICU. I wish my daughter understood that more, because I would probably try it if she did.
I would love to volunteer somewhere this year. I need to go research!
I think getting them involved in giving would probably help. My 13 year old doesn't get it too much either.
Cute family.
Come check out what we do. Perhaps it is something that could work for your family.
I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling bad about not finding the time. Maybe we'll find some ideas together.
I believe you should teach your kids about giving all year round and not just at Christmas. It's pretty easy to get them involved at Christmas time because there are so many opportunities all around - you don't need to go far out of your way.
An easy way for kids to get involved is to have them pick out a toy and then donate that toy to the Toys for Tots or any of the other programs that take toy donations this time of year. Or have them help make cookies and then take them around ot the nursing homes/hospitals in the area.
it is hard to find the time, but one year it will line up for you
I know, I'd love to volunteer there too. My mom does yearly, but with a full house I feel I do enough work in my own soup kitchen, it's often to hard to have to go do it elsewhere. My mother didn't start until her kids were grown and gone. I have faith that one day (god willing), I'll have the freedom to be able to do the same.
Here's My Day 5! I put Mr. Linky up, come get your link love!
I think 12 is a hard age! My 13 year old is quite self-absorbed. It's a good age to get them involved in thinking of others. I'll bet you find lots of new ideas today on getting your kids involved.
How about picking up a couple baseball caps from Walmart and taking them to St Jude's Hospital or something similar? You could ask the hospital if you could give out the hats with your children.. maybe try to find a boy that is around 12-13.
I think it's a tough age, but just getting them involved in Christmas activities, and trying to show that others are in need too may help. Honestly, I would stress too much, they will learn it as they grow!
me, too!
I think it is important to make kids aware of how much they have ALL year long. Maybe take them to a shelter to show them real life for some families and how little they have. I'm sure it's hard to get little kids to understand but if we start young, as they get older, hopefully it will sink in.
What a tough age...I agree with previous commenters that the best way to teach them is to get their hands dirty! Before I had a family I did a couple of Habitat for Humanity projects with our youth group, it was definitely an eye opener for them!
I say this year take them to a children's hospital and let them deliver Christmas cards. Nothing big - just cards. It may provoke some deep conversations but it may start to open their worls a little too.
I'm not sure yet, my kids are still babies
Donating their toys sounds like a good idea. Maybe even visiting & seeing kids less fortunate would help!?
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