Our world is fast becoming a materialistic world. Capitalists take advantage of retail therapy to make lots of profits. These businesses build a need for people to acquire more stuff so they end up buying things they don’t actually need but actually looked pretty cool in the mall. And kids grow up in this capitalist culture full of me, me and me. We all become too engrossed with our needs that we forget to think of others.
As adults, we need to teach the importance of giving and sharing our blessings with the less fortunate. A child that knows how to give understands that not everyone enjoys the same lifestyle as them and that others have to struggle to earn money for basic needs like food, clothing and shelter, something that others take for granted. When kids know how to share, they realize that they have the power of uplifting the lives of others and making a difference in this world.
Many parents want their children to grow up to be philanthropic.
The hard part is knowing when—and how—to start instilling a sense of philanthropy in them.
Experts in the world of philanthropy offer several approaches.
But there is a consensus that it’s important to start talking to children about philanthropy early in their lives and continue to have those discussions as they grow.
(Via: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-to-teach-your-children-to-be-philanthropists-2017-03-27)
Kids are great imitators. So the act of giving or having a generous nature will probably become second nature to them if they see their elders doing the same in their everyday lives.
CHARITY and the spirit of giving have been elevated to a new level following the recent Asian tsunami. After witnessing the horrific images of pain and suffering streaming steadily across their TV sets, more people than ever before have dipped deeper into their own pockets to offer needed relief to the survivors of this unprecedented tragedy.
Many parents are using the destruction delivered by the disaster as an opportunity to help children learn about charity and the importance of reaching out to others in their time of need. They have made generous family donations, often involving their children in picking out the charity, writing the check, and preparing and mailing the envelope. They have allowed their children to witness turning the pain and grief of unimaginable loss into a time of extending love and compassion to unknown people half way around the world.
Clearly the recent tsunami provides an opportune time to teach children about charity. But what if parents want lessons about charity to be more than a one time occurrence? What if they want the spirit of giving to be a way of life for their children? What if they want charity to become a habit?
(Via: http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2200256)
Children learn to be generous and charitable from home. Practice the following habits at home and you no longer have to worry about teaching your kids about giving because they will have the initiative to do so on their own.
Giving to charity makes us happier
Researchers from the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and Harvard University found a positive relationship between charitable giving and happiness. The research has shown that how people spend their money impacts their happiness. In particular, people who spend money on others reported greater levels of happiness – actually activates the reward centre in your brain, can improve your overall life satisfaction, and reduces stress.
There are financial benefits too
Any time you make a charitable donation, keep your receipts! The cost of your donation is greatly reduced by claiming tax credits on your income tax return. It’s important to determine which organizations can issue official donation receipts and what types of gifts qualify. Once you know that information, you can decide the total amount of donations you want to claim.
To help your kid(s) understand charity and get them into the habit of giving, consider some of these strategies below:
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Help the elderly.
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Donate clothes.
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Provide nutritious food.
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Help some animals.
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Volunteer.
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Make it a family thing.
The world is a better place if everyone learns how to give and share their blessings. There will be no such thing as social injustice because biases will likewise disappear, so is greed and abuse. And conflicts can be prevented when people tolerate one another and look after their well-being. When kids grew up in this harmonious environment, they will grow up to be responsible and compassionate adults who may be able to give a shot at world peace and living in harmony with all where wars are unheard of.