Raising kids to be good citizens is an important job.
If there is one thing parents want more for their children than financial success, it's that they grow up to be good people. Success is nothing without respect, and it takes hard and honest work to gain respect. Teaching your kids to be socially responsible will help make the world a better place for your children and your grandchildren.
A Giving Heart
Teaching kids to donate to a worthy cause from a young age will make it a habit when they become adults. Sponsoring a child in a developing country will help your children understand how they can make a difference. Have your child set aside a portion of her weekly allowance to donate to a charity of her choice from a list you provide. For nonmonetary donations, have your child choose toys she no longer plays with or clothes she has outgrown to give to local children's charities. This is an ideal way to teach her about helping others, as well as making space in her bedroom for birthday and holiday gifts.
Volunteering
Playtime is important to your kids, but they need to understand that the time they give to others is just as important. When looking for volunteer experiences for your children, match the job to their abilities. Wiping tables after a church breakfast or handing out programs at a charity concert are simple jobs that even the youngest volunteer will love doing. The best way to get kids started in volunteering is to have them tag along when you volunteer. Volunteering gives you quality time together, and it allows you keep to an eye on your child as he gains self-confidence.
"Green" Kids
Being socially responsible goes beyond what we do for others; it also means being environmentally aware. Teaching your kids to look after the planet will help them grow into good "green" citizens. It doesn't take much to get kids thinking "green." Start with small environmental activities around the house, such as composting food waste, using compact fluorescent light bulbs and separating the recyclables. As your kids get older, they can also take part in community events like a local park clean-up or environmental campaigns at school. Make sure you take part as well, setting a good example for your children.
"Teachable Moments"
Opportunities to teach your children about social responsibility happen without warning. Use these unplanned for moments to show your kids what social responsibility looks like in action. These "teachable moments" could be as simple as holding the door for a mother pushing a stroller, helping an elderly grocery shopper return his shopping cart or picking up dropped items for someone whose hands are full. These teachable moments happen hundreds of times a day; the trick is making them a habit for your children so they don't see being socially responsible as anything out of the ordinary.
