Comments on: How to Raise Charitable Children

By: Lori

Lori — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:46:15 +0000

Thank you for writing such a great post. I really liked what you had to say and I will put it into practice.

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:21:02 +0000

I left you an award on my blog. You can check it out here: http://theadventuresofbear.blogspot.com/2009/04/another-award.html

You don’t have to pass it on if you don’t want to. Your blog has great ideas. Thanks for the inspiration.

By: Amber

Amber — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:16:02 +0000

Thanks, Jyl. I am excited to begin getting to know more about mom-it-forward. You are doing some incredibly fantastic work here. I love how you serve all year long….not just at holiday times. Thanks for sharing!

By: Jyl (Mom It Forward)

Jyl (Mom It Forward) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:09:54 +0000

Satsuki, thanks for your comment. I loved to include my little ones in helping me make meals, pick weeds, or clean other’s houses. Even though their contribution was minimal at best, it was major for them and their abilities. The key is to make it fun.

Also, if you take them along to marches and walks, even if you are just pushing them in the stroller, it starts helping them see that this type of activity is important to you. I know the March of Dimes often has bounce houses and clowns and other kid-friendly things at their events, which even a 2-year old will appreciate.

Finally, basic teaching moments like sharing and giving and hugging and kissing can be reinforced with simple phrases like: “That was giving” or “That was kind.” He or she may not totally understand, but the repetition of these phrases will rub off. You can even act out “giving” type activities with toys and dolls to show that “billy the bear” is sharing with such and such. It’s amazing what they pick up on!!!

Good luck! :)

By: Lara McElderry

Lara McElderry — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:41:52 +0000

Wonderful post, I’ll be repeating your line Do unto others as they need you to do unto them….if you don’t mind!

By: Fairly Odd Mother

Fairly Odd Mother — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:21:17 +0000

There are some wonderful suggestions in here. I talk a lot about charitable acts and involve the kids where I can but there are some great ways here for me to include them even more. And, I’d love to give them “wings” to find a charity that really speaks to them and help them do something for it rather than have them help me with something I care about (which may or may not sync up with them).

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:14:54 +0000

This was a fabulous post! Love all the ideas! Thank, Jyl!

By: Satsuki

Satsuki — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:14:26 +0000

Do you have any ideas for a mom and toddler to do? My babe’s 2 so the whole listening to direction bit hasn’t quite kicked in yet. I’d love to find activities that would work with her age-appropriate abilities though. Any help or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. (In case you can’t tell I enjoyed volunteering in my pre-mom days.)

By: Carissa

Carissa — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:26:38 +0000

I love your story about the 12 days of Christmas for a family your family knew personally in need. Great ideas here Jyl!

Hi Marie!