By Amy Collett
Getting parents and their children involved in charity work is not only good for the community, it is also a great way to encourage unity and service within families. But the task is not always an easy one. Parents are busy. Kids are busy. It’s difficult to get people to see the bigger picture, but showing them the benefits of volunteering will help inspire them to get more involved. Keep reading to find out what volunteering can do for you and your family.
Volunteering Teaches Children Responsibility
Just like a job, volunteering helps children learn to show up somewhere on time and work on someone else’s schedule. It teaches them what to do when others are relying on them. And when parents volunteer with their children, they are setting the ultimate example of responsibility and caring.
Volunteering Boosts Self-Esteem
Because low self-esteem is such a huge issue for children, parents are always looking for ways to improve their children’s self-image. And volunteering is a great way to do that. According to HealthyPlace.com, volunteering helps with self-esteem in several different ways:
- It takes the focus off individuals, giving them less time to harbor negative thoughts.
- It gives volunteers a sense of purpose, helping them feel like they are contributing something meaningful.
- It feels good to help someone else and get positive feedback.
Volunteering Brings Families Closer Together
Finding ways to spend quality time with your children is not always easy, but volunteering together is a great way to develop stronger bonds while contributing to society. Volunteering as a family creates bonds in specific ways. Family members are able to focus on each other’s best qualities, sometimes seeing them in a new light. Parents are also able to use the time as a teaching moment, bringing up important conversations about becoming responsible and mature adults.
Volunteering Teaches Children Empathy
Arguably, the most important traits a child can learn are empathy and tolerance. When a family volunteers together, they are able to see the needs of others and learn what truly matters in life. They are exposed to different cultures and people with different social statuses who they can soon learn are just like them in many ways. They learn the value of sacrifice and selflessness.
Volunteering Teaches Children Job Skills
Depending on the children’s ages and the volunteer jobs they do, they could be learning lessons that will help them find their future careers. For example, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity might help them learn construction skills, and volunteering for local politicians will help them learn the basics of politics and networking. Even though most jobs require children to be at least 16 to begin working, volunteering is usually something they can do at any age.
A Happy Homebase
Volunteering is loaded with benefits, not only for those you serve, but also for everyone in the family. It’s one aspect of creating a home environment that is happy and healthy. As Redfin points out, the atmosphere in your household will help shape how each family member thinks, feels and acts. To keep stress and negativity at bay, aim for an organized and uncluttered living space. Make sure everyone is eating right and exercising, and that you and your kids also have some alone time. Relaxation and meditation are healthy, self-care oriented activities, so as you determine your priorities, don’t fill your schedules so full that you’re meeting yourselves coming and going.
Where to Find Volunteer Work
Making people aware of the various volunteer jobs available in the community will help them see how many activities their family is suited for. There are lots of places online to find volunteer work, but you can also keep a list of local organizations that need help. For example, Petful notes pet shelters and animal rescue facilities are ideal places for families to volunteer. Children feel a real sense of purpose while enjoying themselves with the animals. By setting a positive tone from the start, some families eventually take volunteering further by finding ways to help in other cities and countries.
While inspiring people to volunteer is not always easy, it makes sense to appeal to the things that matter to them as families. Let them know how much they can change their children’s lives by teaching them the importance of giving to and caring about their communities. Lifelong lessons and family bonding are values every family can appreciate and most aspire to experience.
Are you looking for an activity that will fill your time and feed your heart? Please join our efforts at FLOC. Our volunteers are greatly inspired by their ability to give back to our community on a daily basis.
Contact Beth Mann at For Love of Children today at beth7mann @gmail.com.