Teaching Children To Be Generous Without Spending Money
In a time where so many are focused on material things, it’s so very important to teach our children that generosity doesn’t always pertain to money. I want my children, and all children for that matter, to know that they can be kind and give generously without having any money at all. A great way to do that is by talking to your kids about the treasures they have. Treasures that are priceless because no amount of money can buy them. Here are 5 treasures that we can teach our children to give to others while making changes in the world that money can’t buy.
- If you have ever sat down and really listened to a child, you know their minds are like sponges, absorbing everything around them. They are happy to learn new things and even happier to share them with others. Teach your child to be generous with their knowledge; it’s valuable and they can help others with it. Something as simple as helping a classmate or a sibling with their homework is a way to be generous and giving and it doesn’t cost a thing. Sharing their knowledge will also motivate others to share their own, resulting in everyone learning more.
- We have all heard the expression “love makes the world go round” and I think we all know that on some level this is true. Every person and living thing in the world needs love to survive and thrive but so many feel unloved sometimes. Teach your child to be generous with their heart. A hug, a pat on the back or a kind smile can go so far and mean so much to someone when they are feeling alone and unloved. It costs nothing to say “I love you” but those words can be worth more than all the money in the world.
- Courage is another treasure you can teach your child to be generous with. Sometimes it’s easier to be brave for someone else than it is for yourself. If a friend, classmate or sibling is feeling afraid, it’s easy and free to take their hand and let them know they aren’t alone. Having someone brave by their side when they are scared can make some of that fear go away and bring out their own hidden courage and that’s something that money could never buy.
- We live in a time where many parents leave home to go to work before their kids leave for school and get home after their kids are already in bed for the night, relying on a babysitter or older child for help. They don’t get to spend a lot of time with their children and sadly, there are some children that don’t have any family at all to call their own. Teach your children to be generous with their family. Invite a friend over for dinner; their own mom or dad may be at work until late and they don’t get to sit down and have a family dinner. Your child can “share” their awesome family with that friend for a couple of hours and give that friend a gift that will last a lifetime.
- A good friend can make you happy when you’re feeling down, knows how to make you laugh and most importantly, accepts you for who you are. Teach your child to be generous with their friendship. No matter their gender, religion or race, anyone can become a friend. Teach your child to smile and say hi, be friendly to their classmates and other children they meet. If they see a child sitting alone at lunch, a child who doesn’t have many friends or has been bullied because they are different, all they have to do is say hello and be kind to them. Everybody needs a friend and your child can be the one to set an example among their peers, sparking more friendships to blossom.
We spend lots of time volunteering in our family. I think it’s important to teach them the value of helping others.
This is a great post. Being generous is more than just giving money to a cause. It’s a spirit you carry with you every day.
We have worked hard at teaching my daughter to be compassionate and generous. We volunteer and donate often!
I am always trying to find ways for my son to learn to give back to others. I always tell him we have been very blessed with everything we’ve got, so we need to share with others our blessings.
I absolutely agree with you. I try to teach my children to be giving even if it’s something as simple as helping out a friend.
I love that my kids have always been fairly generous! I love when we can find things to do as a family to help drive this lesson to hear and home for them even more.
Love this! Volunteering is something I’ve done with my kids since the beginning. Giving back, helping others is something very important to me so I make sure my kids get in on it with me. It’s a great thing to teach them young!
I love the idea of sharing your family with those who need one. My mom always told us that!
This is a wonderful post. I always try to make sure my girls know to be generous. Of course there are so many great ways to do this without having to spend money. You’ve got a great list here.
I taught my kids that a good mood is contagious. If they see someone that needs a hand go and help them. You can change someones day with just a smile.
When my kids were younger we volunteered at the local food bank. It was a great way for us to give back to the community. It is so important to teach kids that being generous means more then just financially.
Children learn what they see so it is important to be a good role model. We try to do things together to help our community. We let the kids come up with some of the ideas.
These are great values to instill in our children from a young age. Great post !
Thank you 🙂
Great values for every child and family to have. It’s important for all children and adults to understand the value of serving others.
This is a great quality to teach kids! You need to make sure you raise them right!
I still have a lot to teach my kids, and this is something I need to work on. Thanks for the tips.
Beautiful post and so true. Money can’t buy everything.
We teach our kids to be generous with their time. Not only by giving some to themselves for things they enjoy doing but also to others through volunteering. For the past year, we have given 1 hour a week (as a family) and they have definitely received more than they have given through the friendships that they have made and the real change that they have seen with their own eyes.
It’s never too young to help make the world a better place.
Besos, Sarah
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