Tips to Help Your Child Learn to Be Compassionate

Here are some practical ways you can help your child ( or grandchild) learn about compassion.

When your child receives money, teach them to set aside a portion of it to give to others.

You may choose to give to a religious organization of your preference, or to another organization that helps others. You may choose to sometimes give to those in need directly. There are many different ways to do this, but if you do not put into practice with your money what you preach with your words, your children will not believe that you really care about those less fortunate. It is important that you teach your children to make a habit to consistently take some part of their "income" and use it to bless someone else.

After your child's birthday or after Christmas- donate toys, games, crafts that your child no longer needs to a charity.

Most children (and adults) in American have more than they need. Some, however, do not have the luxuries and extras that others of us have. Take the opportunity to let your child be involved with this. They can pick out the items they have "out-grown" or no longer have an interest in. They can also be taught that it is important to make sure we only give those things that are still in good repair. We do not want to teach them that we only give to others those things we consider no longer good enough for ourselves. Involve your child in actually taking the items to a charity so that he/she can more easily understand that some child is actually going to be happy to get the items.

Participate in a program such as Operation Christmas Child.

There are other programs, but this is one I am familiar with. You can find this by typing in Operation Christmas Child. The organization is Samaritan's Purse. The time for collection this year is November 12-19. By typing in your zip code you can find location drop-offs in your area. If you miss the collection time, you can also get the address to mail to by looking under the "Frequently Asked Questions" on the Operation Christmas Child part of the Samaritan's Purse website. The directions for the shoebox (or other similar sized plastic box) and for the contents you can include, as well as labels for the boxes are on the website. This can be exciting and meaningful for your child as they help you choose the items and talk about how the items are going to make some under-privileged child happy.

If you have a daughter who has long hair and may want to get it cut, consider telling your child about Locks of Love and asking them if they want to donate their hair.

Locks of Love is a wonderful organization that accepts hair that is ten inches in length and then makes hairpieces from it for children who have lost their hair mainly due to a disease called Alopecia Areata. All of the information is on their website. Sometimes, adults think that children cannot commit and follow through and should not be asked to do anything that requires a sacrifice. Children are far more capable than most adults think they are and they are usually willing to help. Giving them an opportunity to do something like this can be a lesson that they carry with them forever and it can give them the satisfaction and joy that comes from helping others. The feeling should not only be reserved for adults. My granddaughter amazed the whole family when she heard about this at the age of four and committed herself to grow out her hair and give it away. We checked with her several times throughout the year and half that it took and her commitment remained steadfast even through the hot summer and through times when the tangles after washing were very upsetting to a five year old. Needless to say, she has always had her Mimi's love, but she definitely earned my respect with that selfless commitment. Your child is capable of that commitment, as well, and it is your job to provide opportunities for them to learn to give to others.

Look for opportunities that will expose your children to those people who are elderly or differently abled.

Your children will grow up sheltered and not know how to respond or understand that they are blessed if you do not teach them by example. You cannot teach them by example if they are never around anyone who is elderly or in need.

Talk about blessings and the joy of giving as opposed to always getting.

Make sure your child hears you acknowledge your blessings and hears you talk about the joy of giving. Let them see your joy when you give to someone in need and help them understand that the things they may find so enticing will leave them empty-that it is what they contribute that will give their life meaning.

Encourage them to do things for elderly neighbors or others in need without expecting payment.

They will only learn the lesson "it is more blessed to give than to receive" by doing it themselves.

Do not be afraid to let your children know when you make a sacrifice for them.

Children do not need as much protecting as we sometimes think they do. We are not benefiting children by sheltering them from lessons that will help them as adults. If you do not let your children know that you feel they are worthy of your sacrifices for them, do not expect them to make sacrifices for you in your "golden years". They will not have learned that relationships and people are worth sacrifices. The sacrifices that you make and let them know about should not be mainly about money and things. The message should be about your sacrifices of time and effort. Make sure you express the joy it gives you to make the sacrifice and do not give them the idea that it is a burden for you.

Children are capable of growing into compassionate and giving adults who are a credit to the world they live in and a blessing to their families. It is our job to guide them and teach them and our privilege to watch them grow into all they can be.