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.
same day cleaning service Bannockburn ..We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit how... Read More
One of the most difficult parts of being a father... Read More
Our back-to-school buying habits do not help kids succeed in... Read More
How bad is the illegal drug problem here in the... Read More
Parents play a critical role in their child's success. These... Read More
There's a new trend for party entertainment. It seems as... Read More
Very often, new parents rely on a parenting tip or... Read More
It was at that time when our marriage was falling... Read More
How would you like to have a closer relationship with... Read More
If your child is to derive the benefits of physical... Read More
My kids ask me all the time to take them... Read More
Like anything else in life, there's a method to the... Read More
Ask any teacher or adolescent counselor what the most disturbing... Read More
As a parent there are lots of things that you... Read More
Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters'... Read More
I am crying tears of joy mixed with great sadness... Read More
Dear MomOn this day set aside to honour "Mother's" let... Read More
We're all familiar with the over-indulgent parent. But there's another... Read More
Most day cares are non-profit organizations that must operate within... Read More
Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown... Read More
If I had a dollar for every time I persuaded... Read More
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
1. New Word of the DayIntroduce your preschooler to a... Read More
More and more parents are expressing their concerns about how... Read More
One of the few decisions you'll make during pregnancy that... Read More
housekeepers near Deerfield ..Wooden toys are one of the best alternatives for the... Read More
What is the mystery of motherhood? I know that when... Read More
For any parent, learning that a convicted sex offender lives... Read More
What Children Look for in a Friend?Is this child fun... Read More
Here is something that you might want to keep if... Read More
Q. I need your help with a question about my... Read More
"What age should my child start school?"This is a common... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 31,... Read More
The ADD child exhibits a series of behaviors that are... Read More
People always ask my wife and I: "How did you... Read More
What is child sexual abuse? Any sexual activity that is... Read More
Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More
On one of her quarterly visits to see her grandson,... Read More
I love Google and Yahoo. With Google and Yahoo I... Read More
Question 1 "How do I get more time to play?"... Read More
Much has been said about the "gifted child" but in... Read More
Are you worried about your child's reading habits? Perhaps you... Read More
An estimated five million scooters will be sold this year... Read More
Mealtimes together deserve an important place in any family. Around... Read More
As thinking, acting human beings we have the ability to... Read More
Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With... Read More
Seven-year old Michael was on a school trip to a... Read More
Once your little boy/girl goes off to school, you may... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
1. Encourage Questions.Don't answer every question, instead ask what do... Read More
Parenting |