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.
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..You have a chore to do around the house, and... Read More
As a parent there are lots of things that you... Read More
If you visit search engines you can find several resources... Read More
In dealing with children with autism spectrum disorders, its all... Read More
Time management is an organisational concept traditionally associated with adults... Read More
Here's some of the bad news about sedentary lifestyles:? Forty... Read More
So you want to be a mum? Every time you... Read More
Sitterphobe "I never have a second to myself," this mother... Read More
The following spelling games can be used by parents to... Read More
10 Fun Things You Can Do With Your Children this... Read More
It can be difficult on all family members to have... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
Let's be honest! When it comes to parenting, men expect... Read More
So your little Susie wants to join a competitive gymnastic... Read More
When a child is born, a new number is added... Read More
Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More
How often do you think of family life as an... Read More
Children bombard parents with many challenging behaviours. We are delighted... Read More
They Spur Members To Grow EmotionallyTatiana Tannenbaum grappled with a... Read More
For over fifty years, public-school officials and politicians have tried... Read More
Most of us recognize the continuing escalation of violence around... Read More
"Now don't you go getting any ideas, Harold.""Don't you get... Read More
We know that you want your little guy or gal... Read More
If you really want to get your children to eat... Read More
The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More
cleaning help near Bannockburn ..Potty training fears, often called toilet terrors, are common among... Read More
Q: A parent writes in to ask, "You write a... Read More
"What age should my child start school?"This is a common... Read More
Children do what feels good to them and follow their... Read More
According to the American Sleep Association 70% of all babies... Read More
At the ADHD Information Library we are big believers that... Read More
It was a day that I will forever be etched... Read More
In this form of treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder... Read More
Early childhood educators have called play "children's work". Many parents... Read More
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
How can two or three children in the same family... Read More
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is making... Read More
Is your baby approaching his or her first birthday and... Read More
Many parents would like to homeschool their children but are... Read More
It was no contest. Given a choice between a ball... Read More
Kids today no longer live the kind of privileged lives... Read More
Below is a copy of our eating program for Attention... Read More
The least flexible character in all of the stories of... Read More
The public school system in America has become a dismal... Read More
If you had to spend 4 or 5 hours in... Read More
What is Happening in the brain of children, teens, and... Read More
What is the mystery of motherhood? I know that when... Read More
There is a new stage of development for parents to... Read More
Mother's Day is important for children.This Mother's Day take note... Read More
Parents looking for a quick fix usually choose troubled teen... Read More
Parenting |