BY SARAH ANDERSON, ASSOCIATE PASTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRIES - CHILDREN, HILLCREST CHURCH, JAMESTOWN
As a parent you wear many hats for your children: Comforter, Provider, Disciplinarian, Taxi Driver. For all the things you do, it might be easy to think they take it for granted. However, your actions are sending them messages and believe it or not, they are listening. You are the number one influence for your kids. You show them what is important in your day-to-day routine. Soon they will catch on and mimic your example. So what is your lifestyle saying?
Today children are bombarded with messages from television, Internet and ads that life is all about “me”. As a parent, you have the ability to counteract the narcissism in our culture by taking the time to serve together in your community. You can demonstrate the power of compassion!
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Most families find it difficult to balance work and family commitments so taking the time to volunteer seems over the top. However, you can rethink some ways you spend your free time as a family. Instead of watching a movie on Friday night, why not put a food basket together and deliver it to a friend?
It’s never too early to train your kids. While they’re young have them help set the table or make cards for the elderly in a nursing home. When kids are taught to serve at an early age, they are more likely to continue serving in adulthood.
Some great ideas
• Put on a charitable birthday party for your child
where the activity can be making a craft or food to
sell. All monies raised can go to an organization you
support.
• Pick a local area that needs cleaning and spend time
together gathering trash, raking leaves, shoveling
snow, or planting flowers.
• Volunteer at your local soup kitchen.
• Donate food, toys, or books to local food banks, chari-
ties and libraries.
• Sign up at the animal shelter to help clean, care for
and walk dogs.
• Prepare sack lunches and deliver them to homeless or
homebound people.
• Volunteer to clean homes for the elderly.
• Put together a “new parent’s kit” for the arrival of a
newborn.
• Knit or crochet a blanket for someone.
• Cook a meal and deliver it to a family in need.
Volunteering will not only be a fun family experience, but will provide a life lesson that communicates to your child the reward of giving to others. They will feel a sense of pride and satisfaction when fulfilling these tasks. It will discourage materialism, open up discussions with your kids, and strengthen your community! The opportunities are endless. Will you take advantage of them? Look for ways to incorporate volunteering in your routine and start making it a family tradition.
Sarah is the Associate Pastor of Family Ministries - Children at Hillcrest Church in Jamestown, NY. She graduated from Cedarville University in Cedarville, OH with a youth ministry degree. She and her husband, Tyler, live in Lakewood, NY.