Teaching Teens To Give Back During the Holiday Season



Posted: Monday, November 17, 2008

by
Karen Vincent Coaching

As we move into the holiday season, parents can encounter a new kind of stress as their teenagers make long lists of what they want for the holidays. Although most parents enjoy the process of giving to their children, I have heard many parents express worry that their children do not truly appreciate the spirit of the holiday season. Several parents I have worked with have asked me how they can help their teens learn to appreciate "giving" as well as "receiving".

Wellno doubt this can be tricky. What teenager does not have a three page list of all the things they want from clothes, to music, to video games to a new television? This long list of "wants" can distract them from the importance of giving. Below are some suggestions I have given parents with whom I have worked which they have used to help their teens learn the importance of giving:

Have your teenager clean out their closets / game areas, etc. and donate items that they do not wear or use. Have them actually go with you to the donation spot so that they have a sense of what it feels like to give to others.

Each week when you go to the grocery store (assuming you can get your teenager to go with you), have your teen pick out a few non perishable items and set them aside each week for donation. You may give them a $5 limit or have them give a couple dollars from their allowance for this. Then, have them research a local place where their food donation bag or basket can be dropped off and have them work with you to deliver the donations so that they appreciate the importance of this process.

Locate a local soup kitchen and set aside a weekend morning where you and your teen can go together to volunteer for a couple hours.

Locate a local animal shelter where your child can volunteer to feed, walk and clean animals who do not have homes during the holiday season.

There are many programs for children who do not have families. See if there is a program in your area which would allow your teenager to go in and read to the children or play games with children who may otherwise not have visitors during the holiday seasons.

Locate a "Toys for Tots" donation center where your teen can pick the name of a child and then purchase a gift they would like to have for the holidays. Have your child go with you to the store to purchase the gift (perhaps taking the money from their allowance), wrap the gift and return it to the donation site.

What matters most is that your teen appreciates their importance in the world and understands they have something to offer others. Sitting down with them to brainstorm their interests could generate a whole new list of what they could do to give back. Giving to others brings a whole new feeling to the holiday season which is a great lesson to teach your children before they become adults.

Karen Vincent is founder of How To Parent A Teen and is a Certified Life Coach and Licensed Therapist. Karen has worked with teenagers and their parents for the last 15 years, helping them resolve their most challenging issues.

Karen has developed and conducted numerous parenting classes and support workshops specific to parents of teens. Karen has also created and presented training programs for professionals including teachers, therapists and counselors who work with adolescents throughout the country.

In her work, Karen works with parents of teens throughout the country who are experiencing difficulties in connecting with their teenage children and who are struggling to manage social, emotional or behavioral issues which arise during the teenage years.

To gain instant access to the FREE audio program titled 3 Powerful Strategies for Parents of Teenagers or to learn about additional coaching programs and products offered, go to www.howtoparentateen.com or call us at 1-888-272-1218.
This Article has been viewed 312 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.