A Little too Loud

A Mom Blog by SHR

  • Home + DIY
  • Parenting
  • Style + Beauty
  • (Mini) Style
  • Travels

Raising Charitable Kiddos

BY SHR

Growing up, my mom and dad always made sure us kids KNEW how privileged we were. They didn’t hide the reality of the world from us; instead, they used the world around us to teach us lessons about giving back and helping those in need. How? Well.. in different ways. One particular memory that sticks out of them doing this is my mom picking me up from ballet class. She was always late (sorry for the call out, Mamuchi! 😅) so on this particular day when she was running behind for Steps pickup I didn’t think much of it. I opened the door to get into the back seat and was greeted by an old, frail looking man hunched heavily forward on the seat. I remember being impacted by how the old man looked and smelled; I remember wondering who this disheveled stranger was. My 8 year old self knew there was something different about this old man, even if I didn’t know exactly what that was.

HAHAHA Steps #TBT

After I jumped in the front, my mom explained that the old man in the back seat was a homeless man who often walked through our neighborhood. My mom had helped him many times before and he was known to her. The way I remembered the story- I doubt the details are accurate- the old man had asked my mom for money for a taxi and my mom fearing he would spend the money on something else, offered to drive him “home” instead. Of course my crazy mama picked up her 8 year old from ballet class on the way?!?!?! Mamuchi- if you’re reading this, WHAT?! Anyway.. we drove the man “home” that day to what I can best describe as a row of cardboard box forts on the side of the road. I was SO impacted by where this man slept. When I asked questions, my mom explained that not everyone is fortunate enough to have a home and a comfy bed to sleep at night so us that do have to be very thankful and help those who don’t. She put it in terms that my 8 year old self understood and could relate to. This is important- a recent(ish) study from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy found that parents who TALK to their children about charitable giving significantly increase the likelihood that those children will give to charity as compared to kiddos who just watched their parents be charitable through out their lives without having meaningful conversations about it. Interesting, right? This got me thinking.. what can we do in our everyday lives to teach our kiddos to be charitable? After scouring th internets and doing some soul searching, I came up with a few ideas. This is by no means an exhaustive list- if you have any ideas or things that have worked for your kiddos, PLEASE share in the comments or in an email and I’ll be sure to include them.

Don’t be like Chickie ignoring baby KamKam 😂

Acknowledge Beggars

The idea is to use these opportunities to teach kids about the less fortunate. Even when you’re not giving them money for whatever reason- still answer with a polite “no” or “have a good day.” This will teach kids that we are all humans that deserve to be treated with respect, no matter what our circumstances are.

Gift Cards Galore

Much like my mama in the story above, I too worry about enabling bad habits by giving money to folks on the street. What I’ve been doing- especially during the holidays- is carrying around gift cards for Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks. Whenever anybody asks me for money, I give them the gift card and explain it’s enough for a cup of coffee or something to eat. Once they buy something in Dunkin or Sbux, their policy is to let them stay as long as they need. This means a safe place to charge their phones and take shelter from the cold. If you do go this route- let the kids hand them out! If you can get them to set aside some allowance money each week to buy some gift cards, EVEN BETTER!

One Toy In, Two Toys Out

Matty’s mom used to this and I LOVE the idea. For every new toy that your kiddo wants you to get them, have them pick out two toys they’ve outgrown or not into anymore to donate to charity. If you’re in the US, Goodwill takes donations of pretty much anything, toys included. If you’re in Panama, the folks at Casa Esperanza will be happy to take any of your toys in good condition for their pre-k centers.

Pick Something Your Kiddos Like

The idea is to get kids excited about charitable giving by focusing on something they are already interested in.  A good example of this is Chickie’s puppy obsession. Once she’s a little older, my plan is to get her involved with the local shelter where we adopted Peter.  We’ll show her pictures of the different puppies and what the shelter does for them so she can “decide” which a little push from yours truly, to put some allowance money aside to save the puppieshhh. Is your kid into elephants? I found a lot of “adopt and elephant” programs where they get picture updates of their elephants and a plush toy! I bet kiddos will LOVE that.

When in Doubt, Pick Some Trash Up

The absolute easiest way to teach kiddos to be responsible and chartitable adults is to pick up trash in your favorite park! This is an easy, family friendly activity that requires literally zero planning. Pack your hand sanitizer and take the whole fam to the closest park to pick up trash. Explain to the kids how trash hurts the environment and how by picking it up we are doing society as a whole a favor. Stress how they never should throw trash on the floor or out the window, our planet will thank you.

That’s it! There you have it. My ideas for raising charitable kiddos. The most important thing, is to TALK to your kiddos about the problems that exist in the world in a way that they can understand. Us parents- understandably so- want to shield our babies from all that it wrong with this crazy world but in order to have them grow up to be people of good, we need to have the difficult conversations and not just brush things under the rug. What do you think? I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts and ideas below! Thanks for stoppping by, friend. Until next time..

 

You Might Also Like...

  • Our Newborn Essentials
    Our Newborn Essentials
  • My Favorite Podcasts:                             Motherhood + Beyond
    My Favorite Podcasts: Motherhood + Beyond
  • Traveling with Baby: The Logistics
    Traveling with Baby: The Logistics

SHARE THIS POST:

WHERE TO SHOP...

You Might Also Like...

  • Our Newborn Essentials
    Our Newborn Essentials
  • My Favorite Podcasts:                             Motherhood + Beyond
    My Favorite Podcasts: Motherhood + Beyond
  • Traveling with Baby: The Logistics
    Traveling with Baby: The Logistics

Save


Stay updated on all things A Little Too Loud without getting your inbox inundated!
We're squarely on #teamnospam

Leave a Reply to SHR Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Samantha Polivy says

    October 25, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    I LOVE this post. I cant wait to teach Charlie all about giving back as its a huge part of my husband and I’s life. Gift cards – great idea!!

    Reply
    • SHR says

      October 26, 2017 at 4:53 pm

      YAY! this makes me sooo happy! any other ideas that you guys have are moooore than welcome! hope you had a safe flight back! And i have nooot forgotten about your binky suggestion. i think I’ll do a little experiment on chickie so you can try with C if it works hahaha xoxo!

      Reply
Save
  • Meet SHR
  • Work with SHR
  • Send a Note
  @ALittleTooLoud
It’s Chickie first (real) day of K-1 and my hear It’s Chickie first (real) day of K-1 and my heart can’t take it!!! 😭❤️🙏🏽 

After 6 months of online learning, Chick will be going to school in person 2 days per week starting TODAY and it’s truly got me feeling ALL the feels! 

🦠 Slowly but surely we are returning to normal and this feels like a (much needed) first step. 🙏🏽

Are your kiddos going to school in person? How are you feeling about the about it? It’s 11AM and I’ve texted Chick’s teacher more times than I care to admit 😅😅😅😅 Big girl school, here goes nothing... 🙏🏽🤞🏽❤️🤧
👋🏽 friends! My name is Steph and I am a litt 👋🏽 friends! My name is Steph and I am a little too loud 🙋🏽‍♀️😅😂 It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these intro posts and there’s some new faces around here, so I figured I’d give it a go 🤗

I was born and raised in Panama and my first language is Spanish, but I’ve been living in Boston for the past 15 years! 😱 10 of those with my 🇺🇸 #handsomehubbs ❤️🥰 I’m a part time (on a good day 💆🏽‍♀️) legal aid attorney and full time Mama to 4.5 year old ChickieLou 🐥, 2 year old Baby Bear 🐻 and the sweetest, scruffiest pup, Peter Rice ❤️ Blogging is my side hustle and YOU are my favorite part of it ⚡️ 

Three and a half years ago, I started this blog with the goal of HONESTLY documenting my life as a modern day mama— the good, the bad, and especially the funny 🤪 sharing tips and tricks along the way ☺️ Keeping it REAL is the name of the game here at LTL! I found myself asking ‘why doesn’t anybody talk about this?’ SO many times during my first year of motherhood that I finally decided I would talk about it, ALL. OF. IT. 👊🏽💪🏽🥰

If you’ve been following for a bit, what can you tell our newest members about our little community? If you’re new, what brought you here? 👇🏽🗣

Whether you’re a new reader or a ride or die LTLer thank you for being here, learning with me in this space. It means a lot! I don’t always get it right, but I sure do try my hardest and if that’s not the definition of Mommin’ in 2020/21 I don’t know what is!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Feeding littles has never been easier thanks to @c Feeding littles has never been easier thanks to @cpk ‘s Family Meal Packages 🔥#sponsored 
 
Dinner for Two is just $25, Dinner for Four is $45 and both options include CPK favorites that even the pickiest eater will be excited about! 🙌🏽 Pickup could not have been easier (or quicker!) thanks to validated (free!) parking at our favorite, the @pruboston 🤩⚡️ Take a family meal (or two!) off your to-do list this week with @cpk ‘s Family Meal Packages and pour yourself a glass of wine while you’re at it, you deserve it Mama!! 💆🏽‍♀️🍷🍕✨ #PruBoston #Ad
Home is where the (scruffy) pup is 😍 Back to ou Home is where the (scruffy) pup is 😍 Back to our #CasaRice, quarantining after the loveliest week away! 🎿❄️🙏🏽 My inbox is bursting at the seems and I’m feeling like I need a vacation from our vacation... anyone else?🥴💆🏽‍♀️😂 there is truly not enough coffee in the WORLD. ☕️☠️ 

Monday, let’s do this! 👊🏽❤️✨ Wishing a happy, healthy and productive week to all! 🤍🤍🤍
And that’s a wrap on our school vacation week sk And that’s a wrap on our school vacation week ski getaway ✅  Headed home with tired bodies but rested souls 🤍🙏🏽✨ So beyond thankful for the time away + all the memories made with friends who are family. Until next time, Vermont! You are magical 💫

My 🍑 ski outfit is a teens size XL so it’s more affordable than most 🙌🏽💯 Linked it in bio along with almost everything else we are wearing. If you go  to alittletooloud.com you will find a full (link heavy) post on how we dress the littles for a winter day spent outdoors ❤️❤️ http://liketk.it/38RQy #liketkit @liketoknow.it
Wearing plaid under a covered bridge ✅ I’m tol Wearing plaid under a covered bridge ✅ I’m told this is how you VT, please confirm. 😂🤗🎿🙌🏽❄️ Find our outfit deets in bio and a brand new post on dressing littles for winter on alittletooloud.com ⚡️

 http://liketk.it/38Ass #liketkit @liketoknow.it @liketoknow.it.family
Chatting all things winter weather over on the blo Chatting all things winter weather over on the blog today— just in time for our second ❄️ of the week! 🥴😅💆🏽‍♀️🤗 Click the link in bio or visit alittletooloud.com to get the low down on how we layer the littles for outdoor play in the winter with LOTS and lots of links to our favorite items (most on sale!) 🙌🏽❄️🤍 Did I miss anything? Anything I should expand on? Let me know with a comment below 🥰🥰🥰 Happy browsing, friends. Let’s get outside!! ☃️💕✨
On top of the world with my loves ❤️🙏🏽✨ Full, grateful, tired hearts all around 🥰🎿❄️🤍 #family
It’s all fun and games until Mom asks for a nice It’s all fun and games until Mom asks for a nice picture... just me? 🙄😷💆🏽‍♀️😂 Below freezing temps or not, outside time is about the only thing keeping us sane these days. Bring on the the cozy winter layers ❄️🙏🏽🙌🏽 

All my outfit deets are linked in my bio and @liketoknow.it - working on a longer post of kiddo winter gear ⚡️ My @sweatybetty base layer set is still on sale 🙌🏽 also, the $30 diaper bag ya’ll recommended has been 🔥and you can’t beat $14 sunnies ❤️ If you once told me I’d be wearing pieces from @abercrombie in my 30s I’d laugh out loud.. yet here I am, deeply obsessed with this affordable mini puffer (2 winters and counting!) + thick, cozy fleece. 🤯 Never say never, my friends 😅😜🥰


Stay updated on all things A Little Too Loud without getting your inbox inundated! We're squarely on #teamnospam

@ALittleTooLoud

These Acorn Donut Holes Win FallDonut hole acornsBalões Masha e o Urso
Teddy Bear Sandwiches MoreOne Cake Topper / Number 1 Cake Topper / Where The Wild Things Are First Birthday / Smash Cake / Wild One / 1st Birthday
Lumberjack Birthday Party Food Ideas - MommyhoodingBoy Smash Cake Crown- Boy 1st Birthday Crown, Cake Smash Outfit, First Birthday Hat, Mini Crown Headband, Wood Crown, Boy Crown Photo PropEYMではお子様のお誕生日用ケーキトッパーを通販しています。 Birthdayケーキトッパー【ケーキトッパー3本セット】は流行の動物のお人形「シュライヒ」とのデコレーションにピッタリのケーキトッパーです♪ 赤ちゃんと一緒のホームパーティにご利用いただけるよう、直径15cm程のケーキに挿してちょうど良いサイズでお作りしています。 さらに数字のトッパーは、シュライヒのケーキで最も人気のある「クマ」に持たせてちょうど良いサイズです。 また、こちらのケーキトッパーはお名前や日付(誕生日)をカスタムできる商品です! 大切なお子様のお誕生日、お洒落なケーキトッパーを使用して思い出に残るバースデーパーティにしてみてはいかがでしょうか? こちらの赤ちゃんのお誕生日用ケーキトッパーはベビーグッズ通販サイトEYMにて販売中です♡
Follow Me on Pinterest More Pins

My Favorite Posts!

This Week On Stories, Take 1

Dressing Littles for Winter

Gift Ideas and Some Black Friday Picks

@ALittleTooLoud

alittletooloud

👩🏽‍⚖️🐥🐻🐶 Part time lawyer, full time Mama, sometimes blogger 🤗 Raising bilingual babies in Boston, MA📍with my #handsomehubbs ❤️ PANAMEÑA 🇵🇦

Steph 👩🏽‍💻A Little Too Loud 💕✨
It’s Chickie first (real) day of K-1 and my hear It’s Chickie first (real) day of K-1 and my heart can’t take it!!! 😭❤️🙏🏽 

After 6 months of online learning, Chick will be going to school in person 2 days per week starting TODAY and it’s truly got me feeling ALL the feels! 

🦠 Slowly but surely we are returning to normal and this feels like a (much needed) first step. 🙏🏽

Are your kiddos going to school in person? How are you feeling about the about it? It’s 11AM and I’ve texted Chick’s teacher more times than I care to admit 😅😅😅😅 Big girl school, here goes nothing... 🙏🏽🤞🏽❤️🤧
👋🏽 friends! My name is Steph and I am a litt 👋🏽 friends! My name is Steph and I am a little too loud 🙋🏽‍♀️😅😂 It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these intro posts and there’s some new faces around here, so I figured I’d give it a go 🤗

I was born and raised in Panama and my first language is Spanish, but I’ve been living in Boston for the past 15 years! 😱 10 of those with my 🇺🇸 #handsomehubbs ❤️🥰 I’m a part time (on a good day 💆🏽‍♀️) legal aid attorney and full time Mama to 4.5 year old ChickieLou 🐥, 2 year old Baby Bear 🐻 and the sweetest, scruffiest pup, Peter Rice ❤️ Blogging is my side hustle and YOU are my favorite part of it ⚡️ 

Three and a half years ago, I started this blog with the goal of HONESTLY documenting my life as a modern day mama— the good, the bad, and especially the funny 🤪 sharing tips and tricks along the way ☺️ Keeping it REAL is the name of the game here at LTL! I found myself asking ‘why doesn’t anybody talk about this?’ SO many times during my first year of motherhood that I finally decided I would talk about it, ALL. OF. IT. 👊🏽💪🏽🥰

If you’ve been following for a bit, what can you tell our newest members about our little community? If you’re new, what brought you here? 👇🏽🗣

Whether you’re a new reader or a ride or die LTLer thank you for being here, learning with me in this space. It means a lot! I don’t always get it right, but I sure do try my hardest and if that’s not the definition of Mommin’ in 2020/21 I don’t know what is!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Feeding littles has never been easier thanks to @c Feeding littles has never been easier thanks to @cpk ‘s Family Meal Packages 🔥#sponsored 
 
Dinner for Two is just $25, Dinner for Four is $45 and both options include CPK favorites that even the pickiest eater will be excited about! 🙌🏽 Pickup could not have been easier (or quicker!) thanks to validated (free!) parking at our favorite, the @pruboston 🤩⚡️ Take a family meal (or two!) off your to-do list this week with @cpk ‘s Family Meal Packages and pour yourself a glass of wine while you’re at it, you deserve it Mama!! 💆🏽‍♀️🍷🍕✨ #PruBoston #Ad
Home is where the (scruffy) pup is 😍 Back to ou Home is where the (scruffy) pup is 😍 Back to our #CasaRice, quarantining after the loveliest week away! 🎿❄️🙏🏽 My inbox is bursting at the seems and I’m feeling like I need a vacation from our vacation... anyone else?🥴💆🏽‍♀️😂 there is truly not enough coffee in the WORLD. ☕️☠️ 

Monday, let’s do this! 👊🏽❤️✨ Wishing a happy, healthy and productive week to all! 🤍🤍🤍
And that’s a wrap on our school vacation week sk And that’s a wrap on our school vacation week ski getaway ✅  Headed home with tired bodies but rested souls 🤍🙏🏽✨ So beyond thankful for the time away + all the memories made with friends who are family. Until next time, Vermont! You are magical 💫

My 🍑 ski outfit is a teens size XL so it’s more affordable than most 🙌🏽💯 Linked it in bio along with almost everything else we are wearing. If you go  to alittletooloud.com you will find a full (link heavy) post on how we dress the littles for a winter day spent outdoors ❤️❤️ http://liketk.it/38RQy #liketkit @liketoknow.it
Wearing plaid under a covered bridge ✅ I’m tol Wearing plaid under a covered bridge ✅ I’m told this is how you VT, please confirm. 😂🤗🎿🙌🏽❄️ Find our outfit deets in bio and a brand new post on dressing littles for winter on alittletooloud.com ⚡️

 http://liketk.it/38Ass #liketkit @liketoknow.it @liketoknow.it.family
Chatting all things winter weather over on the blo Chatting all things winter weather over on the blog today— just in time for our second ❄️ of the week! 🥴😅💆🏽‍♀️🤗 Click the link in bio or visit alittletooloud.com to get the low down on how we layer the littles for outdoor play in the winter with LOTS and lots of links to our favorite items (most on sale!) 🙌🏽❄️🤍 Did I miss anything? Anything I should expand on? Let me know with a comment below 🥰🥰🥰 Happy browsing, friends. Let’s get outside!! ☃️💕✨
On top of the world with my loves ❤️🙏🏽✨ Full, grateful, tired hearts all around 🥰🎿❄️🤍 #family
It’s all fun and games until Mom asks for a nice It’s all fun and games until Mom asks for a nice picture... just me? 🙄😷💆🏽‍♀️😂 Below freezing temps or not, outside time is about the only thing keeping us sane these days. Bring on the the cozy winter layers ❄️🙏🏽🙌🏽 

All my outfit deets are linked in my bio and @liketoknow.it - working on a longer post of kiddo winter gear ⚡️ My @sweatybetty base layer set is still on sale 🙌🏽 also, the $30 diaper bag ya’ll recommended has been 🔥and you can’t beat $14 sunnies ❤️ If you once told me I’d be wearing pieces from @abercrombie in my 30s I’d laugh out loud.. yet here I am, deeply obsessed with this affordable mini puffer (2 winters and counting!) + thick, cozy fleece. 🤯 Never say never, my friends 😅😜🥰
💯 more excited about the time away from the kid 💯 more excited about the time away from the kids than the new car, can you tell? 😅🤣💆🏽‍♀️ After months of 👀 we settled on a 2018 CX90 from @volvocarusa - what should we name her?? I vote #ricemobile 🤷🏽‍♀️😂❤️ Happy Saturday, friends!
Load More... Follow
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

© 2021 · A Little Too Loud · Blog by Anchored Design


Stay updated on all things A Little Too Loud without getting your inbox inundated!
Don't worry, we're squarely on #teamnospam