Share your ideas and success stories regarding teaching the kids to give back. Have you supported a charity, done community service, participated in a benefit activity that helped teach the kids the value of giving back? How, with our busy lives, can we find the time to teach the kids the importance of helping those less fortunate?

Well we're expecting our first, but my wife has 4 nephews and 3 nieces, and I have 2 nieces, and our church took up donations around Christmas for a local organization that gives gently used clothing and toys to family in need. The kids really didn't want to give up anything, but we talked to them about how these kids don't have very many toys, if any, and how excited they would be to get some new toys and clothes for Christmas. I think that explanation did it, and they gave away a lot of toys they didn't play with anymore. My youngest niece actually gave up a blanket that she's had for years and loved, and it shocked all of us. I'm really glad that we're in a church that does such great things, not only nationally, but locally as well.

Okay, maybe it's never too early to start teaching the kids the value of giving back, but I do think it's okay to wait until they're born.

The first example that was ever shown to me was the Salvation Army bellringers during the holiday season. I didn't get it at first, then we took a drive and saw them in action, then the connection was made. Seeing how it works was simple and the connection made was even simpler yet. Another good yet longterm way to teach good values yet not all at once is scouting. Yes I know they have come under some scrutiny over the most recent years. See that one about a boy scout troop that sold I believe 2.5 million dollars in Trailsend popcorn by selling it on the steps of the ACLU? That one got my attention. Scouting taught me the value of a dollar, and the value of giving it away. The value of giving farby outweighs the value of holding it in your hand. Goodwill is a prime example of what giving is in action, you can see the wheels of that machine running, every facet of it, not to mention getting stronger every day. I'm not saying that scouting was or is the answer to instilling good values into a child for life, as long and there is SOME medium for allowing them to see and understand the shear power and difference one person can make. Good values such as giving and selflessness are seeds in the trait garden, over the long haul, we'll see how our proverbial green thumb turns out. Not to mention our weeding skills at the same time. When it really boils down to it, the end result of that corner of the garden should to will be the same if all or some is done right, most important that the seed get planted to start with.

I should start that subject in my family... lol