I read a great article today in PARENT magazine that got me thinking. Am I teaching my daughter the gratification that comes from giving to others, and how much contact are we having in the real world? I agree we are all headed down a road where community no longer involves actually helping real people, it involves how may friends you have on Facebook or followers on Twitter, clicking "like", or texting instead of having actual face time. "Empathy, the primary emotion that inspires people to help others, doesn't develop through electronic media." I wish everyone would realize this! Their studies show kids who volunteer do better in school and are less likely to try drugs, good enough for me. It shows kids are healthier and doing volunteer work that involves personal contact makes people feel better, builds confidence and self-worth. Even better! The buck stops here. We are going to get more involved in some way. My parents taught me to give, help, and have empathy, but somewhere along the electronic era, I am guilty of becoming out of touch. I am so close to removing myself from Facebook and the blog world. I love the contact with people I haven't seen in years and love to keep up on every ones lives, BUT we forget to actually get involved with our friends, family, and community.
I'm not saying we will volunteer or give every week, but if we could start somewhere and show Ava how good it feels to help other's, even this early in life, can build a character in her that may not other wise surface. It's easy to spoil your only daughter, especially one you waited 5 years for, but life is not all about giving to ourselves. It can be easy. They suggest praising your child for sharing with other kids, picking up trash at the local park, visiting elderly neighbors, visiting an animal shelter and donating supplies, making birthday cards, and actually calling or stopping by to visit friends and family. I feel good we do these things, so I will take it a step further and pick a kid friendly cause. GenerationOn.Org. That's where I will pick a charity, and hopefully find a local spot with similar needs.
It's time for this family to stop focusing on what the world can do for us and instead find the smile that comes from feeling so good about giving back.
