TEACHING KIDS THE JOY OF GIVING

TEACHING KIDS THE JOY OF GIVING

 Just about the time I started putting together my gift list, the PC Blue-and-White-Stars light decorations (that are certain to avoid offending any religion) went up on main street. Painted storefronts began sporting holiday ornamentations. Store shelves were being loaded up with holiday offerings. And the onslaught of TV and media adds were already bombarding the airways. Like getting caught on a bike in a raging flash flood, kids don’t stand a chance. Anticipation is off the charts. The I’ve-just-got-to-have-it urge takes over. And hopes and expectations run amuck. It’s the perfect set-up for holiday letdowns and even holiday depression. With childhood depression at an all-time high, more attention needs to be paid to the aftermath of the holidays rather than the anticipation of them. The best way to accomplish this is to put the focus on giving rather than receiving. The familiar adage that “It is more blessed to give than receive” is 100% true and it is a message that will serve kids well throughout their lives. To inspire kids to relish more in the giving rather than the receiving, they need to be provided opportunities to give. This can be accomplished via the following suggestions:

1. Help children determine which people in their lives are worthy of receiving gifts from them.
2. Help children determine if the gifts are to be favors, handmade gifts, or purchased gifts.
3. In the event a gift is to be a favor, have the child prepare a card or letter to present to the receiver that explains the favor.
4. In the event a handmade gift is chosen, provide the necessary materials and assist the child (only as much as needed) with making the gift.
5. In the event the gift is to be purchased, suggest ways the child can earn money to purchase the gift then assist the child (only as much as needed) with the purchase of the gift.
6. Affirm every aspect of the child’s giving gifts to others.

In addition to giving gifts to people they know; kids can find joy in giving gifts to people in the community at large. Here are a few ways that can be accomplished:

1. Have the child earn and donate money to people in need.
2. Have the child earn and donate money to deserving causes and/or organizations.
3. Have the child donate gently used toys to organizations such as Toys for Tots.
4. Have the child recycle gently used possessions to other kids that might enjoy having them.

Last, but not least, prepare your kids to handle disappointment and depression. My Let’s Talk About book, FEELING DISAPPOINTED, will work well for younger children and My Winning Skills book, YOU CAN BE HAPPY will work well for older kids. Both are available for FREE at www.joyberryenterprises.com Use the code WINNER  at checkout