Teaching children to give to those in need is a great way to build a foundation for a future of giving to charity, Jean says. Jean talks with Ellen Sabin, author of The Giving Book, who shares her tips for teaching our children how to give.
- Introduce your children to a variety of issues and causes in the world. The more they're exposed to them, the more they can choose which ones really matter to them.
- Show them that there are many different ways to give besides just giving money. For example, picking up litter in a park is philanthropic; it's helping the environment.
- Start with the simple things. Simply writing a card or calling someone in need—or even smiling—is still charity because it warms someone's heart.
- Acknowledge when your children do something giving. Show them that you're proud of them.
- Come up with family rituals. Perhaps you can give to the same cause every year during the holidays.
- Understand that you are the first line of defense against unscrupulous charities.
- Always ask for information, Art says. Never give just as the result of an unsolicited phone call. You'll find you'll cut down on a huge number of unscrupulous causes.
- Think in terms of the types of organizations you want to support. There are many categories of causes—sit down and make a plan.
- Look for organizations that address the problems you want to help.