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 Des Plaines ...A parent writes in, ``We are having a hard time... Read More
For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor... Read More
"You can learn many things from children. How much patience... Read More
1 - Forgive even if you will never be able... Read More
Everyone loves penguins. And now, everyone has a chance to... Read More
You need to smart to be able influence adolescents. You... Read More
In today's busy world, many parents have lost the art... Read More
"I don't know and I don't care."I've heard those words... Read More
Child Safety Restraints and children in work vehiclesIf you take... Read More
Julia Roberts recently gave birth to twins: Hazel and Phinnaeus.... Read More
Most day cares are non-profit organizations that must operate within... Read More
Did you know that the number of twin births have... Read More
Puberty can be a difficult time for children. Not quite... Read More
Once your little boy/girl goes off to school, you may... Read More
Children do what feels good to them and follow their... Read More
Annie easily slipped into becoming the sole caregiver of her... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
We know that you want your little guy or gal... Read More
What do you mean average? Not good? Just doing good... Read More
The legend and myth of the Tooth Fairy is a... Read More
You do what you can to keep your little ones... Read More
Does the homework battle so typical with your hyperactive or... Read More
More and more kids these days are diagnosed ADD, ADHD,... Read More
Back in college, I wrote for a five-day-a-week, award-winning campus... Read More
In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More
disinfecting cleaning services Park Ridge ...Compulsory attendance laws are school authorities' first assault on parental... Read More
Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown... Read More
In the news, we hear and see an increasing number... Read More
Many parents would like to homeschool their children but are... Read More
"What age should my child start school?"This is a common... Read More
A friend phoned her neighbor, complaining about the wafts of... Read More
Blink. That's all we did, blink, and summer is ending... Read More
There are a lot of sophisticated parenting theories and techniques... Read More
I don't know how people raise daughters because I have... Read More
I remember watching my 18-month-old son eat a big frosted... Read More
Here's some of the bad news about sedentary lifestyles:? Forty... Read More
Most of our Founding Fathers, including Ben Franklin, Sam Adams,... Read More
The Theme from MASHI flipped the button on the remote... Read More
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
Start some gardening traditions with your kids. Give them their... Read More
Here's a scene: A parent "might suddenly grab a happliy... Read More
In 1996-97 we were contracted by VAXA International of Tampa,... Read More
Few things are more completely enjoyable than becoming a grandparent.... Read More
Backpack? Check. Notebooks? Check. Ink-pens? Check. Clear Skin? Mommmm!If you... Read More
Perhaps I could make a lot of money by founding... Read More
KIDS AND THE NEWSMore than ever, children witness innumerable, sometimes... Read More
Is there a fathering instinct?Celebrated child development expert Erik Erikson... Read More
Voices have a way of falling into a pattern, not... Read More
For troubled teens who are struggling with drug abuse, depression... Read More
In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident... Read More
Parenting |