Life in most households with children can be hectic. Everyone is racing from work to school to practice to play dates to the grocery store to dance/music/daycare/etc. While many families value giving and wish to make it part of life, incorporating regular conversation and action in helping others can be difficult.

To help your family focus its philanthropic efforts and endeavors and clarify that which you care about as a group, come together to create your Family’s Mission in Helping. Not only will this make it easier to make helping others a priority, it will help your whole family recognize opportunities to make a difference and keep it top of mind. More

We recently heard a story about a five-year-old who suggested that her mother use Clorox ‘Veach’ to clean her younger sister’s stained paints. We also know a two-year-old who refused to wear a Pull-Up that didn’t feature Dora the Explorer’s pet monkey, Boots. You see, all the Pull-Ups in the box include Dora, but not all of them include Boots.

It starts early, and it’s intense. Annually $17 billion is spent by companies advertising to children in the U.S. Children are inundated by messages that tell them what they should want and why. Children are cash-cows for corporations, according to one author and “corporations manipulate consumers, including children, into believing they must have a product or service.” A 2009 study found that children in the U.S. spend one week of their lives each year television advertisements. Throw in the social pressure to have the latest and greatest, and it’s no wonder parents regularly hear, “I want, I want, I want.” More

TAG Question of the Week

“No one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.” – Edmund Burke

We are all compelled to help in different ways. Some refer to it as a ‘calling’. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the amazing efforts of another person? Perhaps you know a doctor, like Dr. Brian Huff, who travels to other countries to provide medical care to those who do not have access or Rachel O’Neill who has organized tens of thousands of dresses for little girls in Africa. Or did you read about the Lewis family who went on a year-long trip around the world, committed to six continents and 12 good deeds, volunteering in a different country each month? More

You need a cup of coffee, and you want a triple-grande-mocha-two-splenda-latte. Your son needs a new baseball bat, but wants the new-edition bat that all the kids have. Your daughter needs some new school clothes, but she wants those designer jeans.

Let’s face it. The line between a ‘need’ and a ‘want’ can be pretty grey, for kids and adults alike. You’ve probably experienced a child dramatically (and possibly in tears) exclaim, “But I NEED it!” over something that has made you laugh or even cringe a little. The good news is that we can help our children understand the difference between a ‘need’ and a ‘want’. And they’ll be better for it. More

It’s fun to surprise our kids with special treats or purchase them new items. The latest action figure for your seven-year-old. A fun new pair of earrings for your teenage daughter. A new basketball or catcher’s mitt for your athlete. There are probably others that like to spoil your children a little as well. Like grandparents, aunts, uncles and close family friends.

Instead of just filling up drawers and toy boxes with more stuff, there’s actually an opportunity in each gift or new item received to encourage appreciation and generosity if you employ a ‘Get One, Give One” policy in your household. And with this policy, there’s opportunity to survey that which we have and take stock on what we still appreciate. Does this sound like a dream come true? More

TAG Question of the Week

As you probably know, the Susan G. Komen Foundation recently caused quite a stir. We are certainly not here to debate their decision(s) or the fall-out(s), but in reading responses to articles and social media postings over the past week, it is evident that many of us are not completely aware of how the nonprofits we support use the money we donate or raise on their behalf.

It’s important to do your homework before supporting charities to ensure that your money is being used appropriately and in support of initiatives that you intend to be part of. For adults this can obviously involve significant financial investigation and vetting, however there are activities and discussions children can participate in to increase their awareness of what they are supporting and understand the importance of being sure our money is used well. More

If you grew up in the South, or if you have a Southern grandmother or friend, you might have received a sercy at some point in your life. Sercies can be better than birthday presents. More exciting than Christmas. Because a sercy is a special treat for no reason at all. It’s just a little present or act of kindness just because. Like a special trip to the park, a bag of your favorite candy or dessert, a little something that they saw and just knew you would love, a warm deed just for you.

“Those best parts of a good life: little, nameless, unremembered acts
of kindness and love.” –William Wordsworth More

TAG Question of the Week

Lunch is not free. Clothing is not free. The roof over our heads, the car that drives us to school, the warmth we experience on cold nights … none of it is free. And that’s not even touching our zoo membership, bikes in the garage or the weekly trip to the ice cream shop.

Oftentimes when a child requests something special, parents will suggest they save their money. It’s a great money-saving, goal-reaching exercise and the experience of purchasing something that you want with your hard-earned money is both rewarding and a great lesson in delayed gratification. And fortunately, most of us are not in a position to require that our children work to help buy groceries or pay the mortgage in order to support the family. More

Valentine’s Day is next week. The kids have probably picked out the treats and cards they’ll share with their friends. Maybe you’ve picked out a little something special for them, too. Perhaps your family will share a special meal next Tuesday evening. It’s the perfect time to bake some pink sugar cookies. Red, heart napkins might be included in lunch boxes. You might spend some time gluing white paper doilies to construction paper hearts for grandparents. More

In addition to the values entrenched in the act of giving, learning to give establishes a strong foundation for adopting sound financial practices. When teaching financial literacy to children, giving can be demonstrated as just one pillar of economic responsibility, which also includes spending money, saving money and investing money. Just as in saving and investing, most charitable giving is planned for in some way. Children are better prepared to become financially secure adults when taught about the importance of giving, saving and budgeting responsibly and parents can proactively teach their children by modeling desired behavior and through discussion regarding charitable efforts. More