Every season offers an opportunity to give, and it’s crucial to impart this lesson to your children, emphasizing the value of helping others and supporting worthwhile causes. Adult perspectives on money are generally shaped by childhood experiences. So, encouraging kids at a very early age to donate and give instills a sense of financial responsibility and generosity in them, positively influencing their money management skills in the future. Fortunately, understanding these basics doesn’t require a lot of money. Here are some straightforward strategies to teach your kids about giving and donating.
LEVERAGING TIME AND RESOURCES AS DONATIONS
Being generous does not exclusively entail providing financial aid; it also involves dedicating time and resources to those in need. Inspire your children to share their time and resources, focusing on suitable activities for their age. For example, younger kids can create greeting cards for residents of nursing homes or bake cookies for the local firehouse.
Teenagers might be able to assist neighbors with tasks such as raking leaves or dog walking. Ever since my son joined middle school, we’ve been looking for local charities where he can volunteer, under adult supervision, and help with small community tasks.
Making this a family activity can be beneficial. For instance, my husband plans to volunteer alongside our son monthly. Alternatively, you might consider forming a group to pack meals for individuals overseas in partnership with Feed My Starting Children organisation.
ALLOWANCES CAN BE EDUCATIONAL
Some parents might object to the idea of giving their children an allowance; however, it can be a valuable tool for teaching them about financial management. My husband and I decided to give our son an allowance so that he could learn about spending, saving, and other financial decisions. Without real money to manage, it becomes challenging (though not impossible) to teach children about donations and giving.
In our family, the allowance is earned, not given as an entitlement. It can be reduced if the child misbehaves or fails to complete household chores. As a youngster, my son’s allowance was broken down into three categories: spend, save, and gift. This division taught him that money should not all be expended as it might lead to adult financial troubles. Instead, it’s crucial to save part of your income and contribute to community causes.
A MATCHING GAME WITH CONTRIBUTIONS
Another engaging and rewarding method to get your children excited about giving and donating is by matching their donations. Support them in finding a charity or organisation that genuinely interests them. Discuss their preference and how the preferred group collects and uses donations.
Every 6 to 12 months, promise to match the amount they donate. This method profoundly illustrates your values and is a practical demonstration of your beliefs in action. Show kids your financial management skills and philanthropy, and they will likely emulate these behaviors.
Even without providing an allowance, you can still make charitable contributions. Encourage your children to participate in the process by sharing your actions and reasons.
THEIR GIVING BRINGS ABOUT CHANGE
Lastly, always ensure you demonstrate to your kids the difference their contributions can make. It’s indeed heartwarming and inspiring to see the positive effects of their donations, big or small. If your child has supported an organisation, share some of the successes achieved partly owing to their contributions.
For instance, if your child is passionate about homelessness, and you’ve supported a shelter, communicate any successful community events or accomplishments the shelter has had.
Around two years ago, my family began supporting an international organization called Food For the Hungry. We sponsor a child for just $45 per month, and we receive in-depth information about the child and her family. My son can even send letters and photos via email, helping him reflect and relate to the impact of our giving on a personal level.
IN CONCLUSION
You’ll never regret teaching your kids about giving or donating. I genuinely believe that such actions can help you earn and save more, as it shifts your mentality from scarcity to abundance. If you’re capable of giving, it signifies you indeed have plenty while acknowledging the impact of your donations.
We always have the potential to earn more and make smarter decisions with our financial resources. Teaching children about giving is among the best ways to drive this point home while simultaneously aiding those less fortunate.
