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I’ve talked a lot about raising children, and I think I’d be better at it now than I was when I was doing it – (most grandparents will tell you that!). It’s a hard job, one of the hardest you’ll ever have and definitely the most important one you’ll ever have.
I’ve talked about teaching them to save money and to budget – that’s an important part of their lives and will make their lives simpler, I promise. There’s another big lesson I hope parents are teaching all those brilliant little students, athletes, future business people, etc. – that it’s their responsibility to volunteer and to take care of those that can’t always take care of themselves.
Now I tried that very early in my child’s life as I have driven for the Soup Kitchen for many, many years and decided he was going to help deliver the meals to the door. One of his first responses was “why don’t they get jobs?” – I quickly explained they may have health issues; could be in between jobs, etc. but most importantly – we are NOT to judge when we don’t know! Well, through his church and other community events, living around elderly people – he learned what it meant to volunteer and his responsibilities to the “weaker” or those that are in “need,” and he’s very good about it.
Next came our grandchildren. We had the time and we wanted them to grow up to be good citizens and know their responsibilities – I firmly believe you have to learn this and see this of others- those that you love and respect. The cutest was our youngest being a trooper trucking along with his Papa many, many times to deliver “Meals on Wheels”. He loved it and the people loved him! (A couple of the kids did have trouble with the “smell” at times). Then, every year Papa took them to the local discount stores and they got to pile in school supplies (that were on sale!) and haul them to First Call for Help for those children less fortunate than them prior to school starting. I remember them collecting money for the missionaries at the Wednesday night program at church and the missionary coming and talking about it and how that impressed them. This last weekend, two of them helped set up camp for the “Relay of Life” and then stayed for the events – having lost two grandmothers to cancer.
I hear in their prayers that they ask God to take care of those that need help or are ill, and that too is a responsibility of a parent. Big job parents… but they learn best what they see you do! Volunteers are dropping fast – I see organizations struggling – the needs are still there, nothing has changed – everyone has 24 hours in a day – teach your children that part of it is to be “given back to those that have less than they do!”
Oh yeah, don’t take this article wrong, I work for lots of organizations and “checks are always welcome also!”
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