Talk About Giving

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?

Here’s how it works: When you receive something, you have to give something. So when your child receives a new toy, he needs to find one that he already owns to share with someone less fortunate. When your teenager receives a new clothing item, she needs to look through her closet and find something that she can give to someone who needs it.

And, this kind of giving can be enriched if we talk to our children about who they’re helping and how they’re efforts will make a difference. Here’s how:

1. What will I give? When your child receives a new item, let him choose from his current belongings what he will share with another.
2. Where will it go? Select an organization that your family will give these gently used items to. Consider an organization like Goodwill. Be sure your children understand where their items are going and how that organization helps others. When possible, include your children in the delivery.
3. Make the connection. Have a conversation with your child about who might receive the item. What does he think that child’s life is like? How does he think the child will feel when he receives it?

Not only will your children be more mindful about the items that they currently have, they’ll appreciate the new items more. And, your spring cleaning will be so much easier!