We live in the age of the selfie. It is socially acceptable to believe that we are the center of our own worlds. Societal messages tell us that our worth is tied not only to material possessions but also to the superficial approval and envy that we obtain from social media “friends,” who sometimes barely know us. 

Ironically, experts tell us that the acceptance and achievement we crave can actually come from helping others instead of focusing solely on ourselves. Since one key factor for future success is empathy, our children may be better served by cultivating a giving spirit instead of chasing recognition or developing an individual “brand.” Michele Borba, who wrote Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me-World, says that “the ability to empathize affects our kids’ future health, wealth, authentic happiness, relationship satisfaction, and the ability to bounce back from diversity.” 

So with empathy being so vital, how do we encourage our children to identify with causes larger than themselves? Experts say that not only is this task not as difficult as we might think, it can also be an enjoyable experience that offers the elusive family time that we all want.

Children Are Born To Care 

Children are born hard-wired with the spirit of giving. That’s apparent in the toddler who weeps at the sight of an upset playmate, the preschooler who offers his teddy bear to a sick sibling, or the school-aged child who grabs a sponge when mom is washing the car. Yet, as they grow, children receive society’s not so subtle message that it’s sometimes unsafe or unwise to care. 

Fortunately, families are paramount in encouraging the behaviors that foster empathy. Research shows that caregivers who openly express warmth and compassion raise more empathic children. This process begins at birth and is often intuitive. Routinely giving a patient, timely and consistent response to an infant’s cries or to a toddler’s skinned knee gives that child the message that helping others is important. Once a child is secure that the world is a safe and loving place, it’s easier for him to develop empathy. 

Experts say that often the first opportunity for a child to help others is in his own home, so they recommend assigning household responsibility. “Children need jobs,” says popular author and pediatrician Dr. William Sears. “Once a child learns a sense of responsibility for the household, a sense of responsibility to society will come naturally in the next stage of development.”  

Kids Who Help Others Help Themselves 

Children who reach out to others enjoy an increased sense of well-being, self-worth, and optimism. Helping others builds up a child’s defense system against temptation and stress. Kids learn that it feels good to do the right thing, so it’s easier for them to say no to the wrong things. Since their personal worth is affirmed by their kindness toward others, they don’t need to search for worth in material possessions or in poor choices. Volunteering as a family can provide important quality family time while uniting members toward a common goal. Away from video games, social media and television, families come to know and appreciate each other in new and valuable ways. 

Children who volunteer with their families are twice as likely to volunteer as an adult and to pass it on to their own children. Mary Thoele, author of Family Serve: Volunteer Opportunities for Families, says that “volunteering is one of the ‘loudest’ actions you can take to show children what it truly means to be a contributing member of a community. By role-modeling this type of behavior, caregivers are beginning a tradition of compassion that can be passed on from one generation to the next.”

Fitting Giving Into Busy Schedules

Jenny Friedman, author of The Busy Family’s Guide To Volunteering: Doing Good Together, says that finding time to help others is easier than you may think. The key, she says, is to take a careful look at your current activities and then find ways to incorporate volunteering into those events. For example, families who already enjoy crafts can make get well cards or toys. Supplies for a neighbor in need can be gathered while running your own errands. Families who are animal lovers may enjoy fostering an animal for deployed military personnel.

Experts suggest starting small, with a one-time commitment that requires no further obligation. If all family members enjoy the small experience and want to repeat the process, consider adding on, but always be conscious of over-committing. Studies show that when giving to others becomes too large of a commitment or an obligation, the potential benefits are lost. It’s much easier and more comfortable to increase your commitment if you find that you have more time than to have to cut back and feel guilty because you’ve taken on too much. 

Teaching children to care and to offer their time, their talents and their aid to others is a win-win situation. Developing their innate giving spirit will arm a child with skills that will defend him against the world’s stresses and will benefit him and future generations of your family for years to come.

How To Begin Charity at Home

Creating for Others

Kids usually enjoy making crafts, designing cards or writing letters. Many organizations are actively seeking families to provide lovingly crafted items, handwritten letters, heartfelt drawings, and cards. Most even offer easy step-by-step instructions. Typically, families complete the items and mail them to the organization, which in turn distributes them where they are needed. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Make a Hospitalized Child Smile: This site allows families to make handmade cards for distribution to hospitalized kids. More than 100,000 children have received cards from all over the world. Although families can use their own creativity to make the cards, the site offers many helpful suggestions. http://www.cardsforhospitalizedkids.com

Provide Comfort to Children Facing Challenges: Project Linus provides handmade blankets to children who are ill, traumatized or who might benefit from the security of a comfort item. They offer many easy, “no sew” patterns. Although adults may need to cut the fabric for younger children, kids of all ages can choose the fabric and tie off the edges. http://www.projectlinus.org

Give Words of Encouragement and Gratitude to Our Military and First-Responders: Organizations like Operation Gratitude encourage families to send cards, drawings and letters for the military, veterans, and first-responders. The cards are added to care packages, and many of the recipients say that handwritten items are the most cherished part of the package. http://www.operationgratitude.com

Become a Sponsor Family

Your family might consider sponsoring a less fortunate family, child or animal during the holidays, in emergencies or year-round. 

Adopt a Family: The Box Project matches sponsor families to families in need. Families regularly mail household and school supplies, clothing or other needed items. http://www.boxproject.org

Sponsor a Child: Many organizations can match sponsor families with a child in poverty. Families provide monetary support, school supplies, and letters. One example: http://www.children.org

Foster a Pet for Someone Deployed or Hospitalized: Organizations like Pact for Families and Dogs on Deployment match foster families to care for dogs whose owner is deployed or hospitalized. http://www.pactforanimals.org  http://www.dogsondeployment.org