The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to teach your children how to be thankful for the many blessings in their lives, and how they can share that gratitude with those less fortunate. “It is better to give than to receive,” the old saying goes. Even a small act of kindness can brighten another person’s day. Below are our childcare professionals’ various tips and strategies on spreading kindness during these winter months.
Holiday Volunteer Opportunities for Families
One way to spread kindness this holiday season is to volunteer at a local soup kitchen, food pantry, and others. Volunteering as a family offers a multitude of benefits, including strengthening familial bonds, teaching children about compassion, empathy, and community responsibility. Adults should also aim to teach children that volunteering is not a seasonal activity and is something that is needed year-round.
Write a Homemade Holiday Card
A handwritten card goes a long way! Children can write letters to grandparents, nannies or caregivers, teachers, and other people that they are thankful for. Another recipient that would appreciate a thoughtful, handmade card are terminally ill kids. Cards for Hospitalized Kids is one such organization that accepts them.
Give Up One Holiday Gift to Charity
During the holiday season, many well-meaning parents go overboard with presents and accidentally end up spoiling their children. This year, why not ask your child to donate one of their Christmas presents to a child who might not otherwise get one? Toys for Tots is a popular option. OneSimpleWish connects families directly to children in the foster care system.
Bring Non-Perishables to a Food Pantry
With the assistance of a caregiver, children can purchase food and non-perishables to bring to a local food pantry. You can also browse City Meals on Wheels to learn more about homebound, elderly residents that need food delivered to their door.
Donate Toys, Books, Clothes
Use the holiday season as a time to go through toys, books, and clothes to donate to your local shelter. New York Cares also organizes a coat drive every winter.sop For more information on drop-off locations, visit their website here.
Care Packages for the Military
Children can write letters as part of Operation Gratitude and Operation Shoebox. Recipients include troops, veterans, first responders, and new recruits. In addition to letters, participants can include board games, packs of cards, books, anti-bacterial handwipes, and more in the packages. For more information on what the troops ask for, visit Support the Troops.
Contact the Nanny Authority Today!
It’s important that your children have reputable role models that they’re interacting with on a daily basis. Here at the Nanny Authority, our nannies are committed to helping you raise grounded, respectful, and kind children who will be compassionate toward other people. Contact us at 973-466-2669 or via e-mail for more information today!