Have you ever noticed that the children who seem the most kind, compassionate and well-mannered have most likely volunteered in some capacity during their childhood? It's no secret that parents are challenged with developing character, etiquette and leadership skills in their kids.
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Many have cited that the foundation of this is teaching an "attitude of gratitude" in our kids. Easier said than done, right? Perhaps we can look to Hollywood for an example, where Jaden & Willow Smith (some of the most privileged children on the planet) appear to be well-rounded and centered due to the emphasis Will & Jada have placed on seeing others in LA who are homeless, less fortunate and destitute as a reminder of their blessings.
Or perhaps we can look to the White House. We all know how grounded Sasha and Malia Obama are -- and we also know that it is attributed to their parents' humble and gracious example set before them. Beyond the household, President Obama cited in a 2010 issue of Essence Magazine that the best way to instill these values in our kids is "structuring service opportunities for our kids, even in elementary school...even if the contributions are modest." He goes on to assert that "it gets young people in the mindset that they've got responsibilities." And he also mentions some delayed benefits that occur down the road, beyond the obvious of character-building. "Everybody I know who gets involved with a not-for-profit, who volunteers...ends up meeting people who, at some point in their lives, open doors. And that's especially true for young people."
So, as summer officially kicks off - we are all challenged to make sure our kids maintain brain activity and intellectual stimulation while out on summer break, but also get our kids involved in a volunteer or service opportunity to strengthen their character in the process.
Need ideas? Contact Kevin Mondy, with Project Still I Rise at kmondy@psir.org -- who commits to providing these types of service opportunities year-round for PSIR program recipients. Or, for girls - access http://www.hisagency.org/ to see what other nonprofits are doing in other areas of the country.
- Michelle London-Bell, Dallas Urban Media
Many have cited that the foundation of this is teaching an "attitude of gratitude" in our kids. Easier said than done, right? Perhaps we can look to Hollywood for an example, where Jaden & Willow Smith (some of the most privileged children on the planet) appear to be well-rounded and centered due to the emphasis Will & Jada have placed on seeing others in LA who are homeless, less fortunate and destitute as a reminder of their blessings. Or perhaps we can look to the White House. We all know how grounded Sasha and Malia Obama are -- and we also know that it is attributed to their parents' humble and gracious example set before them. Beyond the household, President Obama cited in a 2010 issue of Essence Magazine that the best way to instill these values in our kids is "structuring service opportunities for our kids, even in elementary school...even if the contributions are modest." He goes on to assert that "it gets young people in the mindset that they've got responsibilities." And he also mentions some delayed benefits that occur down the road, beyond the obvious of character-building. "Everybody I know who gets involved with a not-for-profit, who volunteers...ends up meeting people who, at some point in their lives, open doors. And that's especially true for young people."
So, as summer officially kicks off - we are all challenged to make sure our kids maintain brain activity and intellectual stimulation while out on summer break, but also get our kids involved in a volunteer or service opportunity to strengthen their character in the process.
Need ideas? Contact Kevin Mondy, with Project Still I Rise at kmondy@psir.org -- who commits to providing these types of service opportunities year-round for PSIR program recipients. Or, for girls - access http://www.hisagency.org/ to see what other nonprofits are doing in other areas of the country.
- Michelle London-Bell, Dallas Urban Media
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