5 PRACTICAL WAYS FOR TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN TO GIVE BACK

This post is sponsored by Huggies, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

There are no small acts of kindness. Every compassionate act makes large the world. – Mary Anne Radmacher

With the holiday season in full swing, now is the perfect time to start thinking about ways to help your community and those in need. We often think that only adults can volunteer and give back, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. Talk to your children about those who may be less fortunate. Educate them on ways to help others. There are plenty of acts of service that can be done by kids of all ages. It may be going through toys they don’t play with clothes they’ve grown out of or it could be purchasing food and goods to donate to a local shelter. Teach them about putting others first, and treating everyone they meet with respect. Giving will come to them a lot easier and naturally if they genuinely care about others. It can also teach them a sense of responsibility from an early age. If you don’t know where to start, here are 5 easy ways to teach your kids about giving back.

1. Baking some homemade goodies. This is definitely the most delicious way of volunteering and it won’t seem like a chore. Kids love being hands on in the kitchen and what better way to give back then including them in meal preparation for those in need. Let them assist you in making a casserole or some fun holiday cookies. My kids favorite part about baking is pressing the cookie cutters in the dough!

2. Visit a retirement home. Nothing makes us smile more like kids acting silly and being themselves. From the funny stories they tell, or how they pronounce words, kids universally have one thing in common: they’re stinking cute. Take your cute kids to a local retirement home so they can put a smile on the face of their elders. It’s absolutely free and they can bring pictures they’re drawn to brighten everyone’s day, as well as you and your children being able to listen to some inspiring retirement stories.

3. Quick acts of kindness. We all know kids have a short attention span, and mine are no different. I’ve gotten some of the best responses from my kids when I assign simple, short tasks. Remember that we want to inspire kids to give back, not have it seem forced. A simple compliment, smile or even holding the door for a stranger can make children feel accomplished, thus wanting to help more.

4. By purchasing Huggies diapers at Kroger, you can support those families struggling with diaper need. From November 8-December 2, when Kroger shoppers buy Huggies® Diapers, 1 Big Pack or 2 Jumbo Packs, they get a free pack of wipes and Huggies® will also donate a day’s worth of diapers (up to 1MM) to the National Diaper Bank Network. This is definitely one of the easiest ways to give back this holiday season. You are going to be purchasing diapers anyway, why not do your shopping at Kroger so you can help those in need?

5. Don’t forget to include pets too! My children absolutely love all animals. They jump at any chance to visit the pet store and love going to the dog park to see the dogs play. Both of our dogs are shelter rescues so they know the abundance of animals out there that need homes. Donating food, blankets,bed, bowls, and toys to your local animal shelter will help out immensely. Above all else, animals want love and affection. If your local shelter allows kids to spend some one-on-one time with all the furry friends, encourage your children to spread the love to our furry friends too.