As a parent, you probably know that the birthday party routine can be an almost painful experience. With about 20 children in your child's class, going to more than one birthday party in one weekend can occur quite often. If you have more than one child, birthday-party weekends can take over your entire life. Finding the right gift takes hours, wrapping the present and preparing the card is more time. When it is your child's turn for a birthday party, do you really want to put other parents through the same routine? Will your child really appreciate 20 birthday gifts on top of what you and your family have already given him? Does your child really need more toys?
Teaching our child that it's just as wonderful to give as it is to receive is almost never easy. But once they understand the concept, the rewards can last a lifetime. As a parent, you probably want to guide your child to become a healthy and ethical adult. How can you lead your child to a healthy future? What kind of activities can you do together as a family that will steer your child towards becoming a compassionate adult? Community service and Volunteerism are your answer. Not only will you show your child that it is "cool" to care for others, but it will also be a wonderful way to get others involved. You can do just that with a charity birthday party.
Firstly, you must discuss this with your child. You can't just announce to your child that some or all of his gifts will be going to charity. Avoid bribing and coercion, the mission is to get your child enthusiastic about helping others. I suggest the following:
1. Know Your Child and How Much He Can Be Expected to Give - Just because you are enthusiastic to give all of your child's presents to charity, it doesn't mean that your child will feel the same way. Again, don't coerce your child to have a charitable party. Discuss with your child different ways that his party can become a means to give and not only to receive. For example, The child can keep half of his presents and the other half go to charity.
2. Know Your Child and His Interests? Each child has interests that can be converted into a great giving and charitable experience. If your child is interested in art, match them up with an art charity (http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org). If your child is interested in homelessness, match your child's party up with a homeless shelter. Once your child is matched with the right charity, your child will have a rewarding charity birthday that he will always remember.
3. The Actual Events of The Party Can Be For a Charitable Purpose ? Instead of giving away your child's presents, you can consider holding a charitable project as the entertainment. For example, Charity Making and Stuffing a Teddy Bear Project (http://artistshelpingchildren.org/donateteddybears.html) and donate all of the teddy bears to a local pediatric hospital, orphanage, or shelter.
4. Have Every Child Bring a Used Toy or Item to Give to Charity ? Instead of having every child bring a new item to be donated to charity, have everyone bring in a used toy, or other item. These items can then be donated to a non-profit organization. For children who aren't excited about having a charity party, you can have everyone bring in a small gift for the birthday child in addition to a used item.
5. Remember to Still Make the Event Special for The Birthday Child ? Don't take all gifts away from your child. You must allow your child to still receive gifts from you, family members, and other close people in his life.
6. Meaningful Conversation First ? If our child is having a difficult time figuring out what charity he wants to give to, it might be a good idea to watch the news together and see what sparks your child's interest. Sometimes seeing less fortunate people and suffrage can spark a child into wanting to give. Also, bring up social issues and discuss them with your child.
7. What Do My Parents Do? ? Children learn by example. If your child sees you as a giving individual, they will be more likely to want to give of themselves as well. How can you expect your child to give up things that are important to them without giving items yourself. Consider doing something giving at your birthday every year as well.
Can Having a Charitable Birthday Party Really Be Good For My Child?
You bet it can! It has been proven by researchers that a child's self-esteem is boosted when taking on altruistic responsibilities. When children help others, they will begin to understand that they have the strength to make a real difference in their world?and this is a great feeling. Another enormous benefit of a charitable birthday party is that a child will gain a deeper understanding of the needs and wants of others. Researchers have also noticed that children who volunteer or give charitably might gain increased academic skills, including critical thinking and problem solving skills.
I run Artists Helping Children ? http://www.ArtistsHelpingChildren.org - A non-profit charity dedicated to bringing comfort to children in hospitals, clinics, and shelters by brightening their environment with murals, artwork, toys, and art supplies.
Rachel Goldstein is Founder of Artists Helping Children ? http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org - A non-profit charity dedicated to bringing comfort to children in hospitals, clinics, and shelters by brightening their environment with murals, artwork, toys, and art supplies.
limousine airport Glendale Heights .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareBearers of life, wipers of noses, givers of unconditional love... Read More
Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant... Read More
So you have just returned home from your third meeting... Read More
There has been much attention in the media of late... Read More
Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along... Read More
Q. My teenage son is turning 16 early next year... Read More
In elementary school it's pretty straightforward: bringing in cupcakes to... Read More
How would you like to have more time? Of course... Read More
When my oldest daughter was born, I walked the floor... Read More
Having a baby is one of the most exciting times... Read More
Prioritize. Learn to say No. Steal some time for yourself.Don't... Read More
The Real Dangers to Kids Online and How to Avoid... Read More
An Awesome Dad in by no means perfect. But that... Read More
All too often, children with learning disabilities are seen through... Read More
The cruel callous remarks made by our offspring can sometimes... Read More
LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2005) - With Memorial Day weekend,... Read More
This year alone, 1,600 teenagers aged 15 to 19 will... Read More
The least flexible character in all of the stories of... Read More
There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More
Did you know that many people retire broke?It's true. After... Read More
Our children are growing up bilingual in the French part... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
Is Homework Really That Important?Dear Friends,I no longer teach in... Read More
Article based on a friend's experienceI just wanted to share... Read More
For most children, it is easy to learn to read... Read More
Lincoln Stretch rentals Willowbrook ..Vacations are fun ! Weekends with the family are nice.... Read More
Now I know that is not how the song goes,... Read More
For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
If you are a parent, then more than likely you... Read More
Join a growing number of parents and teachers!Fact: Last year,... Read More
Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More
It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More
Anyone can become a parent; there are no tests or... Read More
Reading is the most important skill that a child must... Read More
My thirteen-year-old daughter recently called me up to say she... Read More
"Before every action, ask yourself: Will this bring more monkeys... Read More
Before my daughter was born my house was... Read More
In speaking with parents a comment I frequently hear is... Read More
One of the challenges for parents with a gifted child... Read More
Did you know that the number of twin births have... Read More
Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More
Sometime the most effective training tool in rapidly accelerating the... Read More
Once, as a Learning Support Teacher, I made my way... Read More
I have always been aware of my number one weakness:... Read More
I really like all natural remedy for Attention Deficit Disorder... Read More
1) It's not my (pot, beer, cigarettes, etc.), I'm just... Read More
Sometimes dreams really can come true! May 8th - 11th,... Read More
Suppose that you rearrange your life to homeschool your child... Read More
From the book Spider's Night on the BoomI've only begun... Read More
Some people can concentrate on an assignment, to the exclusion... Read More
Parenting |