Hearing Gimme Instead of Gratitude?
All too often at this time of year, a child can be heard saying "Gimme x" or "I want x" or "I need x for Christmas/Hanukkah". If you are hearing this from your kids, it's not too late to help them have an attitude of gratitude.
There are several things my husband and I have done over the holidays to help get us in the true spirit of the season. One year we participated in a program through our local newspaper and bought gifts for an elementary school student based on her letter to Santa and teacher recommendations. Last year, we contacted the elementary school we walked by in our neighborhood to ask who might need help and were able to buy the items on a wishlist from a family that recently became homeless. Another time, we realized that a mother and son we ran into on our morning dog walk, didn't have winter coats so we bought some that day, wrapped them and presented them the next time we saw them. Last weekend, we made breakfast at the Ronald McDonald House near us. This year, we are playing secret Santa for a child battling cancer and her older brother.
There are many ways to still get involved this year:
-Contact your child's school (typically we get connected with the social worker) to see if you might be of help to a local family
-Have your child choose books and pajamas to give to a local women's shelter
-Ask what is needed most at the animal shelter near you
-Volunteer to serve meals/deliver meals to seniors
-Check out your local Ronald McDonald House to see if they have a sign up to make breakfast or dinner
-Find a Giving Tree in your area (often put up at places of worship)
-Help local military families/veterans
-Have them pick out a new toy to drop off at one of the many Toys for Tots donation boxes
-Contact your police/fire departments to see what they are supporting for the holidays
-Next time you take them grocery shopping, have your kids fill a bag with items for the food panty
The list goes on and it helps to match an idea to something that interests your child in an effort to make it more personal and meaningful.
Create a tradition of giving in your family!
