The school year is coming to an end. The kids are about to jump out of their skin. Teachers are working hard to keep them focused. Parents are busy making summer plans for camp, vacation, sitters and the pool.

For some children, school is a great source of structure. Meals are consistently provided, the classroom is an appropriate and comfortable temperature. There are adults there that are kind and care for them. They can play at recess and escape the reality of what’s going on at school.

School is a place of learning – something that is critical in today’s society. School is a place where our children meet their friends, explore interests and talents and find mentors that will influence who they become and how they live their lives. School provides consistency and routine; fun and play; growth and development; exposure to others. More

TAG Question of the Week

If you start poking around on the internet looking at the need in your community, it can become a little overwhelming. This week, we were thinking about families that would like to host a Charitable Birthday Party and pulled together a list of Columbia nonprofits that have wish lists of items that party attendees could bring in lieu of a typical party gift. While we at TAG live in the nonprofit world every day, seeing our list of worthy organizations representing urgent needs right here in our backyard caused us to pause. We want to help them ALL! More

TAG Question of the Week

We know that there are so many different ways to give. And in many cases our efforts aren’t or can’t be spontaneous our impulsive. Getting involved in a movement can involve significant organization and preparation. We don’t stroke a check without considering our finances and we don’t just decide to jump on a plane to Haiti tomorrow to help build a school. There are ways to give that require significant planning and those that do not. Both are of equal importance and it’s important that our children understand the difference and why.

So while financial giving and major, planned efforts are extremely important, there are lots of things we can do right now that do not involve considering year-end recommendations from our accountant or require extreme organizations, effort or time. More

TAG Question of the Week

One of the great things about being part of a community is seeing how people come together. We talk a lot about exposing our children to community need and one of the great lessons of this is showing them how great it is when people come together.

But what is a community? It’s lots of things! It’s your school. It’s your place of worship. It’s your neighborhood, town and state. It’s even your scout troop or sports team.

And there’s a lot more to a community than just services and organization. In our community we find friends and neighbors, we celebrate tradition, we share values and we enjoy life – with its ups and downs – together as a group.

So what do you personally appreciate about your community? What does your family enjoy? Why is your community important to your children? What does that mean to them?

Find out how your family feels about your community using the Question of the Week!

Published each Friday, use the Question of the Week to spark conversation with your children about family, money, giving and help them explore what matters most to them.

TAG Question of the Week

Recent research studies published indicate that children (as young as 15 months!) are naturally altruistic and generous. What’s even better? Environment plays a role in this, so we do have the power to influence our children and their behaviors in terms of how they think of and treat others.

Recognizing need is an important lesson that, if handled properly, can teach a lot about empathy and our ability to make a difference in the life of others. And as parents, grandparents or mentors,  sometimes the trick is helping children understand that recognizing need does not mean judging or thinking of themselves as ‘better.’  More

TAG Question of the Week

Goodness can come in big and small packages and it’s important for children to not only experience the actual action of kindness to others, but to recognize when they’re on the receiving end.

We all experience them every day on some level. It could be the neighbor that pulled your garbage can off the street, the guy that let you in traffic, a kind word or gesture from a stranger in the grocery store, or the friend that brought you a bottle of laundry detergent and homemade frozen meal because she knew you had a crazy week and couldn’t find time to make it to the store.

By recognizing kind acts that others do for us, we are more inclined to look for little ways to help others. And, life is a little sweeter.

So what kindness did you receive from someone this week? How about your children? How did each of you feel when someone was nice or helped you? Start the conversation with the Question of the Week!

Published each Friday, use the Question of the Week to spark conversation with your children about family, money, giving and help them explore what matters most to them.

TAG Question of the Week

For many children, the thought of parting with a $10 bill doesn’t sound so great. But initiating this conversation with the understanding that they HAVE to give it away will help them get beyond the money and thinking about with whom they would like to share.

As adults, we support organizations that we care about. It could be your place of worship, your alma mater or another cause near and dear to you. Helping children explore what matters most to them and why and how we can support it will help make that feeling that influences us to give more tangible and real.  More

TAG Question of the Week

We work hard to help our children realize their talents. We look for their abilities and help them find ways to use and apply them – socially, in education, in future careers. We sign them up for group activities; push them in their studies and nurture hobbies and activities that will build their self esteem. They should be proud of their talent, so we celebrate it.

What about our families? 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

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