We all have the best of intentions for our children. We all want to have them grow up to be loving, kind sucessful people. But how do we have them grow up to be generous? When you think of generous, what comes to mind? Sharing your lunch with 
a co-worker how just does not have enough money for one of their own? Giving up that seat on the train to a lady who looks tired or pregnant? Giving away your unneeded clothing to someone who does not have any? There are so many different levels of generosity and in this day in age it's seen less and less. So many people are focused on make themselves successful, providing a home for their family and trying to have everything that they want and desire. It's a strugle in today society to meet very tough and increasing costs of living. But we must remember that it is just important to help others and be generous as it is to help ourselves.
I come from a home where we had enough to do alot. We always had food, extra cars, a boat, nice vacations. But one thing we never did really was give what we did not need to those who needed them. I was raised in a house where you had to work for what you wanted, but at the same time, we wasted alot. We wasted food, money, time. If we no longer wanted something we just thru it away. How sad, looking back I am very disappointed at what we did. My husband comes from a family where they shared everything they had with others. Even though they may not have had alot of money one day, if they saw someone who needed money, they would give that person some. It blows my mind at how generous they are, and it's one major reason that I fell in love with my husband.
Growing up I learned more about donating items, helping others, and just being more generous. Now I look at every moment and if I can I do try to help. I have learned how important it is to help others, there are alot that need help of some sort.
The point is we need to teach our children now how to be generous. Give them every opportunity to help someone. Whether is donating their old clothing to a church or homeless shelter to giving change to the Salvation Army, everytime they see you doing this and everytime they do it, it sticks in their heart. When they see you giving away things, food, money, clothing, etc, they learn how important it is to look out for others as well. It gives them a sense of pride and honor to be able to make someone else feel happy.
If you are stuck as to what you can do to nuture this there are several simple things:
Have them go thru their clothing and pick out some clothes to take to a donation center.
Do the same with their toys and other items.
Have them go with you to an animal shelter and help work there, if they are old enough. or something like that.
Take them to the hospital to visit kids who are sick. or have them make pictures for the kids.
Any time you are at the store and the cashier asks if you wish to donate a dollar to their particular program do it. I donate as much as I can, for cancer, children, they are all good causes. And what's a dollar? A candy bar?
Take time once a year, buy a toy or two and give it to Toy's for Tots or a donation center.
When you are on the train and you see someone who looks tired or is an elder, or they are pregnant, and there is no place to sit, let them have your seat. Let you child sit on your lap if they are sitting in their own seat.
Hold the door for someone, especially if they are disabled, even if you are not going in or out of the store, hold it open for that person.
If you see someone just needing help with something, ask them if you can help.
And talk to your children about the importance of helping others and doing things for others just because. They grow up with that in their heart and who knows, they may end up doing something that not only makes them and the person they are helping feel good, but they could come out with doing something for the community. Kids are naturally tender at heart, and they want to be generous, we need to make sure we nurture it. Money is not everything and it can't buy happiness. We all know that, seeing my little girl want to give her clothes to other babies, or to share her care bear with her cousin when her cousin is sad brings such joy to me. Having her give up her food for someone to eat, it's amazing at how generous she is, and I see it in her eyes when she does something for someone else.
We all have pressures in our lives and there are times when we wish someone would help us. Just remember that blessing of helping someone will come to you in your time of need. It will also lay a foundation for your children to want to help others and they will be that wonderful, generous, sucessful we can only hope them to become. Plus, I know I can't be where I am today without the help and generousity of many people I have meet in my life.
Just a thought.....
(August 2007) (
