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Raising Kids Who Serve Others

By Michelle Myers 22 Comments

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 We hear so much today about how entitled kids are today. While it’s true that there has been a shift in our culture to lives that are more kid centered, which can mean we end up with kids that are more self-centered. It doesn’t have to be that way.  We can teach children compassion and kindness starting from a very early age and help them to develop a heart for serving others. It doesn’t even have to be difficult. There are SO many easy ways parents can help raise kids who serve others.  

If we look around, I think we might be surprised to see how many kids today are out there making the world a better place. Those kids can be our kids!

“Be The Change You Wish To See In the World”
― Mahatma Gandhi

Do you want to raise children that are kind, compassionate and have a passion for helping others? There are many simple ways we can cultivate these traits in our children and help them become people that give back to the world and make a difference in the lives of others. Raising Kids Who Serve Others. SunshineandHurricanes.com

How To Raise Kids That Serve Others

Set an Example

The one statement that kicks me on an almost daily basis is “Actions Speak Louder Than Words” and it generally has something to do with parenting.

Want the kids to speak kindly to one another? Let them hear you speaking kindly to your spouse.

Want good attitudes about chores? Maybe I should quit my muttering about dishes and overflowing trash cans.

Want kids who are service minded, that grasp the impact they can have on the world, in big and small ways? Be intentional about modeling that before them.

It’s true, we can’t just be a Do As I Say, Not As I Do parent and expect our kids to follow our words.  We have to practice what we preach!

Make Service a Habit

The thing about service is, it’s not really a one time deal, like something to do around the holidays or when you join a walk-a-thon once a year.  Service is a lifestyle.  In fact, there are probably several ways you’re already modeling this lifestyle and may not even realize it.

Holding the door for others = Service.

Taking a meal to a friend in need= Service.

Setting the neighbor’s newspaper by the front door =  Service.

Service is just one of those things that seems like it needs to be planned, put on the calendar, and shown up for wearing a special Tshirt. I get it, I like, actually enjoy, BIG productions sometimes, things with planning and decorations and hoopla, they’re fun and it’s exciting to be part of a group of people all working towards a goal for the greater good! But service is more about a heart condition and a state of mind rather than an event.

How Kids Can Serve

I often hear the excuse that parents don’t get their kids involved in service because they are too young or nowhere will let kids volunteer.  That is SO not true! Kids as young as 2 and 3 can walk around their neighborhood or a local park and help pick up litter. They can stand with their parents and ring the bell outside stores during the holidays for The Salvation Army.  Also, once kids get to elementary age, their are many organization that are happy to have them help out.

A great way to cultivate a passion for  volunteer work is to align it with their existing interests. Do they love animals? How about giving time to the local shelter. Do they love making crafts? How about taking supplies to the hospital and leading a workshop with sick children? Do they love to read? How about having them pick out books to donate to a shelter.

There are TONS of ways kids can give back in their community.

Resources to Get You Started

The Kid’s Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference

 

The Following Websites have ways to search for volunteer opportunities by your location and will indicate age level that is accepted. In many cases you can even search by a specific organization or even a special interest.

DoSomething.org

VolunteerMatch.org

PointsofLight.org

NetworkforGood.Org

 

“Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.”
– Mother Teresa

 

Looking for more ideas on how to raising kids who serve others? Check out our other posts in this series:

Raising Kids Who Serve Others – Spreading Kindness

Do you want to raise children who have a heart for helping others? There are many easy and even fun ways we can engage our children in making the world around them a better place. Here we talk about Raising Kids Who Serve Others by Spreading Kindness. SunshineandHurricanes.com

Raising Kids Who Serve Others – Spreading Cheer

Do you want to raise children who are passionate about making the world a better place? Do you want them to have a heart for helping others? There are many ways we can instill these values in our children that can even be fun. Learn about Raising Kids Who Serve Others; Spreading Cheer. SunshineandHurricanes.com

 Have your raised kids who serve others ? We’d love to hear your ideas too! 

Filed Under: Young Kids Tagged With: community service, Life Skills

About Michelle Myers

Michelle Myers is mom to four kiddos ranging from elementary thru high school, each with strong opinions and a flair for the dramatic. In other words, they're a lot like her. Former educator and lover of learning, she divides her time between carpool and Starbucks by reading voraciously and giving TED talks to herself at red lights. A Floridian for almost 40 years, Michelle loves the beach, making people laugh, and date nights with her hubby of 25 years...and yeas, they clearly married at age 7.
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Comments

  1. Nancy L says

    May 15, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    I home schooled my youngest through 8th grade, and we were a military family until almost the end of her junior year, when my soldier/husband – her dad – retired. Over the years, we’ve baked cookies, made cards for nursing home trays, done a variety of things for soldiers including: helping fill care packages, ready barracks rooms for soon returning soldiers, make welcome home banners, and other such things. As she grew older, she has done such things as play piano for church and others; mission trips; National Honor Society service projects; peer tutoring; and now in college she is a member of Alpha Phi Omega – a national service project.

    Being a military service family, service has always been a part of our family. Instilling a desire to make things better, to look for ways to quietly help others.

    Teach children to do for others not for the thanks – but because it is good and right. IF they receive praise, thanks, or such accolades, be gracious. Then continue one . . . quietly.

    Reply
  2. Sharon says

    April 14, 2015 at 3:08 am

    Great post to remind ourselves that action speaks louder than words and more often than not, these habits or virtues begin at home.

    Reply
  3. Kim @ 2justByou says

    April 10, 2015 at 11:15 am

    Great post! Actions really do speak louder than words. I’ve always loved community service projects and hope that I have passed that down to my kids as well.
    Tweeted!

    Reply
  4. lauryn hock says

    January 7, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    i love how you plan on teaching by example!

    Reply
  5. Tara Joy says

    January 7, 2015 at 7:40 pm

    Thank you for this! I always think that what I do isn’t service, but we always like to check in with my neighbor who is older and bring her baked goods 🙂 Its hard with a 2 year old but thats how I can serve right now.

    Reply
  6. Melissa says

    January 7, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    So true! So important to instil a sense of selflessness in them.Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Elizabeth says

    January 7, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    Thank you for the reminder to be more intentional! I need to schedule time for us to serve as a family, I’ve let this area slide the past few years.

    Reply
  8. Angela says

    January 7, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    Serving others is something that I tell my kids often, community service is very important to me. I noticed my kids were becoming a little selfish so I had to sit down and make them see the joy in helping others. I have a giving program I started that accepts clothing and other items so that I can help those in need. we also volunteer at shelter. Now they realize how helping others is very important.

    Reply
  9. Jenn Corter says

    January 7, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    My little guy and I like to bake for our neighbors and bring cookies over to them to brighten up their day! It is really important to teach our kids to help others.

    Reply
  10. Danielle K says

    January 7, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    Such a good and true post and something I often think about with my son – thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  11. Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says

    January 7, 2015 at 11:37 am

    So interesting and true! I love the title for this post:)

    Reply
  12. Jamie says

    January 7, 2015 at 8:14 am

    This is so true and it is too easy to put serving others on the back burner. I have been negligent about this too often and hope to do better this year!

    Reply
  13. Holly says

    November 2, 2014 at 1:00 am

    “Service is a lifestyle.” I love this! Absolutely! And, I love how you break it down. So many times I feel like people hesitate to “serve” because they think it will cost them something – either money or their time. When actually the best acts of service are absolutly free! Just being there for someone is one of the best acts of service we can do. And, if our kiddos can learn this at a young age…just imagine the amazing adults they can become!

    Reply

Trackbacks

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  3. 5 Ways To Teach Empathy To Kids says:
    August 18, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    […] Dropping the kids off for a beach clean up day isn’t a bad thing but research proves that families who serve together make more of lasting impression on their child’s character than those who leave the community service solely to the kids. Spending time working towards a common good helps your child understand the value of giving back and prioritizing the needs of others. For more ideas about family volunteering, be sure to see our post about Raising Kids Who Serve Others. […]

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  4. 5 Ways to NOT Raise Entitled Kids - Sunshine and Hurricanes says:
    March 21, 2016 at 9:08 pm

    […] basis, models a lifestyle of empathy & caring for others. I’ve shared several ideas for Raising Kids Who Serve Others and have seen this work firsthand in my family. Letting your kids labor, physically work to help […]

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  5. 10 Ways To Spread Holiday Cheer - Sunshine and Hurricanes says:
    December 26, 2015 at 9:41 pm

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  6. Kids Who Serve Others- Spreading Cheer - Sunshine and Hurricanes says:
    July 11, 2015 at 10:58 am

    […] post is part of our ongoing series on Raising Kids Who Serve Others, be sure to check out  all of our simple ideas that encourage children of all ages to practice a […]

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  7. Raising Kids Who Serve: Spreading Kindness - Sunshine and Hurricanes says:
    July 11, 2015 at 10:49 am

    […] kids who serve series! In case you’ve missed any of the other posts, you can find them all here, tons of ideas to make it easy and part of your […]

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  8. So great! | 4 My Dollar says:
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  9. 5 Simple Ways to Create Memories You’ll Cherish | SKG Magazine says:
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