tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post3782807092341690490..comments2023-09-29T06:00:09.242-05:00Comments on Julie Pippert: Using My Words: My family's reason for the seasonJulie Pipperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03169574697104642479noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-45250017864462364512012-12-19T18:14:56.518-06:002012-12-19T18:14:56.518-06:00This year my 4 year old helped me make cookies for...This year my 4 year old helped me make cookies for our neighbors. We packaged them up, invited some friends over (with good singing voices) and went caroling up and down our street. We gave a bag of cookies to everyone who opened their doors. The sheer looks of surprise and smiles was totally worth stepping out our door and knock on theirs'.Ellenhttp://thebloomdiaries.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-16362248162221363182012-12-19T10:42:19.913-06:002012-12-19T10:42:19.913-06:00I wrote this for Giving Tuesday. -http://givingtu...I wrote this for Giving Tuesday. -http://givingtuesday.org/givingtuesday-a-new-american-holiday-and-everyone-is-invited/. I also think it's a great way to think about this. Great idea to write this Julie!Cynthia Samuelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-58262959590111317702012-12-19T09:24:43.053-06:002012-12-19T09:24:43.053-06:00Candace, that is awesome, especially the open disc...Candace, that is awesome, especially the open discussion about the spirit of giving.<br /><br />Kim, what a neat overall bonding and caring thing. There are so many lessons and experiences in that.<br /><br />Nicole and Maggie, that's a fantastic process with the kids. I guess we do it similarly, although more likely with the Internet than envelopes. And what great charities. Thanks for the heads-up on the nets one, Maggie.<br /><br />Teri, such an excellent point: show not tell. I also appreciate how a childhood of lessons has proved to grow older kids willing to step up.Julie Pipperthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03169574697104642479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-48120085934467112972012-12-19T09:16:25.759-06:002012-12-19T09:16:25.759-06:00Tonight's the night we'll sit down, as a f...Tonight's the night we'll sit down, as a family, with the stack of solicitations and decide who gets what. One of the envelopes in the pile is for Nothing But Nets - which, as you might guess, provides nets for mosquito control. It's an arm of the UN Foundation.<br /><br />http://www.nothingbutnets.net/about-us/Magpiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15460136246441367993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-26373504793345704282012-12-19T09:09:10.460-06:002012-12-19T09:09:10.460-06:00You should never feel guilty because you don't...You should never feel guilty because you don't have a "habit". The important thing is that your children learn generosity by doing it alongside you. My children started attending mission trips alongside us at age 5. we have run VBS's, built and remodeled buildings, done hurricane Rita cleanup, and many more things on these trips. But all year long, much like you, when a need arose, we did what was needed. I now have a college and a high school student who are always ready to do the smallest thing needed- from staffing a toy closet to stacking chairs after an event, simply because they love to help. My oldest is a nursing major interested in medical missions, and the younger one is considering a call to ministry. It all goes back to Show not Tell.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-61512981153421105852012-12-19T08:52:30.017-06:002012-12-19T08:52:30.017-06:00Two years ago, we started a holiday tradition to h...Two years ago, we started a holiday tradition to have my son help decide where our charitable end of year dollars would go. It's gotten more sophisticated year by year, but basically he's given "money" and can choose between ~5 causes and can split the money as he sees fit. Then my husband and I decide where to actually donate the funds in his name. I think over time we will do more research together so he can learn more about the organizations. We're also a part of Big Hearted Families, which is a pilot program to try to incorporate service into our family lives once a week. My son remains a reluctant volunteer at times, but I'm hoping soon he will just realize that helping others is just a part of our daily lives.Nicole B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08227392455044611078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-20040781864889972082012-12-19T08:48:51.033-06:002012-12-19T08:48:51.033-06:00My kids know that I volunteer a lot. I'm on a ...My kids know that I volunteer a lot. I'm on a couple of boards, I help at their school and their soccer league, my alma mater, etc. I'm also VP of a foundation that is near and dear to all of us in our family, the Clumber Spaniel Health Foundation. I talk with my kids about our dogs, how the breed has some health issues that we need to research, and how that research also helps us learn more about how to fight diseases in humans, like cancer. We donate money but I also took the kids with me when our new dog had some blood drawn that went to the breed's DNA bank. The vet and I explained what happens to the blood and how it helps. They are little kids, just 5 and 7, but I hope their love of our dogs grows as they do and they continue our contributions of time, money, and even blood!ClumberKimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15064038036144480210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-45304961089845383792012-12-19T08:45:13.161-06:002012-12-19T08:45:13.161-06:00I recently posted a list of 25 ways to give with y...I recently posted a list of 25 ways to give with young children. Pretty much any volunteering or giving I do at this point involves my children...because almost everything I do involves my children *LOL*.<br /><br />Every year we...sing/play piano at a home for the elderly, donate toys / stuff stockings, help feed people who are homeless on Thanksgiving, make Valentines for Veterans. Recently we have also, had a beach clean-up with our Daisy troop, organized a food drive and adopted a family affected by the Hurricane with our Daisy troop.<br /><br />Later in the year, the girls will make no-sew blankets and dog biscuits for shelter pets.<br /><br />We also read books about giving and talk about generosity of spirit, like saying something positive, thinking before you speak (is it true, necessary, and kind?), having gratitude, etc.Candacehttp://naturallyeducational.comnoreply@blogger.com