What <span title="programs/charities/organizations">programs/charities/organi...</span> can I introduce to my 4 y/o to foster the spirit of giving?

Question

I want to get my 4 y/o into the spirit of giving. I talk to him about how many other children do not have many trains or any trains while he has tons (HUGE Thomas the Tank Engine fan). When he asks me to purchase a toy and I say no, he says 'because I should be thankful for what I have, right mommy?' from me saying that to him so often. LOL. But I want to get involved with a program/charity/community outreach program where we can give back. I want him to understand the power of giving. My dilemma is that I don't want it to be too 'heavy' too early. For instance, I thought of going to Children's Hosp to play with the other kids and such. But if, God forbid, 1 of them passes away, I am not sure I am ready to explain that to him and have him deal with feelings of sorrow. Maybe I am selfish for wanting to shield him from that, but I just want to be honest.

BTW, I am in DC Metro area.

Answer 1

A good choice if an option in your area, (although it is a couple months away) you could adopt an Angel from an Angel tree project in your area.  This would be something that would easily understood &amp; without an overwhelming expense the both of you could enjoy doing this together.

Answer 2

At 4, your son is going to love what you love. Most kids are devoted imitators at that age. Do what appeals to you and your enthusiasm will be contagious.

When my kids were young, we often carried trash bags to the local parks and cleaned up. Very informal and they are still doing it as adults.

Seriously tough call on the shielding them from death business. Be gentle and compassionate with your own capacities. Once again, you&#039;re own attitude will be contagious. Still, death is a part of life. To quote William Shakespeare: Knock on your own chest and ask what your heart doth know.

Answer 3

If you tell your son &quot;No&quot; when he asks for a toy because other children do not have the same things he already has @ home, he might learn to associate charity in a negative way.  He can&#039;t have new toys because other children are in need.  We have to be careful because even children are extremely logical, their thinking is often based on false premises.

What I would recommend is that you associate giving with reward.  When I take my great-granddaughters to the dollar store, they have $3 to spend.  They can buy one item for themselves &amp; 2 to donate.  They have just as much fun choosing toys for other children as they do for themselves, but they are also rewarded w/one of their own.  Along w/toiletries, the toys &amp; school supplies the girls choose for giving are gathered together in decorated shoeboxes for the ShoeBox Project &lt;www.ShoeBoxProject.org&gt;, &amp; they help distribute them to our local social service agencies.  When we are shopping for clothes we often buy some extra articles for other children.  Along w/the shoeboxes, children in need receive the clothing through the women&#039;s shelter &amp; social services.

We gather more expensive toys when they are on sale throughout the year, &amp; the girls deliver them to our local newspaper  for the annual Toy Drive.  They&#039;ve been taught that the newspaper staff works as Santa&#039;s elves, so they also bring chocolate treats for them.

On Valentine&#039;s Day &amp; other holidays we all deliver treats to those who help us during the year.  We visit the pediatrician, the dentist, the hairdresser, the vet, etc. to thank them w/small boxes of chocolate.  We also visit the county offices to thank those in the various depts. who serve the public all year long.

We don&#039;t make a big deal out of what we do--it&#039;s just that over the years it has become our way.  The children feel they are part of a larger, cooperative, community.  Even though they are still only 6 &amp; 8, I think they have learned habits that w/carry through the rest of their lives.  I don&#039;t want to teach heavy-handed lessons, just incorporate good citizenship in the way we care for &amp; treat others.

I applaud your desire to help your child develop a giving spirit!

Answer 4

For every new toy he gets he can donate a toy(of his choosing) to the goodwill. Maybe volunteer at the local  animal shelter and he can help you with the care,is there a family in your area that needs adopted(like the communities do at Christmas) and he can pick out different things for the kids in the family,good luck,Robin