Ways to raise generous kids at any age
It is not a strange or unnatural thing for your children to be self- centered. Your children’s primary focus, more so at a young age, is having their needs met by everyone who is around them. They expect you to be at their beck and call, ensuring that everything they need is availed to them. This, therefore, means that children learn to ask for what they want early on in life. They definitely need to perfect this skill over time. This is why it is so vital for you to ensure that as your kids mature, they learn how to look outside of what they feel they need. In turn, you need to teach them how to become aware and responsive to the needs of other people around them. As a parent, you play a huge role in ensuring that these values become ingrained in your child.
As a parent, taking care of your child’s minor to major need at every stage of the growth cycle is always a no one priority. A few things like your child’s first birthday celebration leaves an impact on your life. You want to cherish those moments forever by scanning through the photo album every now and then. The kids party entertainers from Sydney firmly believe from their experience that parents spend an ample amount of money to ensure their child’s birthday is the best one, wouldn’t give it a second thought.
While you have done your best until your child was a toddler, the real challenge lies in training him to be a good human being. Some great ways that can be helpful include:
1. Encourage them to be empathetic
For your child to be generous, they need to start considering other people’s feelings. Naturally, your children are egotistical. However, you can cultivate empathy in your children, by helping them to imagine how other people feel. This can be on an everyday basis, or you can look for occasions whereby empathy is required. For instance, you can ask your child how he thinks his sister felt when he took away her toy. Also, you can participate in events at a local children’s home. When your children are given a chance to choose something special to share with a kid their age, it will make them feel more connected.
2. Praise your children’s generous deeds
Children tend to do nice things for other people every so often. If and when you notice a generous gesture from your kid, whether it is sharing toys with their siblings, complementing someone or even helping you carry the groceries into the house, it is essential to praise your child for this good behavior. This is because, when your child receives positive recognition for doing something positive, they are likely to continue displaying similar behavior. It also lets them know that you notice their positive traits.
3. Set a good example for them
Right from the time that they are born, children look up to their parents, for cues and leads in how to act and behave. Therefore, apart from talking to your children about the importance of giving back to the community, it is also critical for you to be at the forefront of the same. Setting a good example may include; caring for an elderly relative, helping with the dishes after a big family event and volunteering at home nursing care. These activities let your children know that you take generosity seriously.
4. Choose a charity
Children can become generous and learn to give back to society, by picking a charity that the family can be donating to. If every family member, including the children, is given a chance to select a cause that they desire to support, it sets a platform for a conversation, on what each one of your values. It doesn’t matter how big or small the contribution is; when your children support a charity, it makes your child proud and may set the pace for a new tradition. This is especially so if the contribution is timed around special times such as a holiday or their birthdays.
5. Spread joy
Making gifts, cards and even bites such as cookies can be fun for your kids. When they give these to people in your community, they will feel like they are part of a bigger cause. Acknowledging those in your community will strengthen the ties between the kids and the community. It will also remind your children to be appreciative of those who are in their lives.
Every once in a while, it is also a good idea to indulge your children and be generous to them yourself. You can throw them a party every once in a while, and they will appreciate your gesture of generosity and love. It will also keep the fire of generosity and giving back to the society burning inside their precious little hearts!
