The Lesson That Keeps Giving

By Alandra Johnson
The Bulletin
Click here to read the full article
Julie Lytle, the director of Whittier Trust Co.’s philanthropy services department, frequently works with parents about teaching kids the importance of giving and charity.
She encourages parents to begin early, starting when children are 4 or 5, so that giving becomes a habit that sticks. Lytle says a great way to start is to implement something similar to what the Bloxham family does, to have children buy presents for other family members. This gesture, while sometimes time-consuming or difficult logistically, helps kids begin to think about gifts in a different way. They put themselves in the position of the giver, which, in turn, can help them become more grateful for the gifts they receive.
When a child is a little older, he or she can begin picking out presents to donate to local charities or giving trees, Lytle says. Parents may also want to consider incorporating giving into regular family practices. For instance, on each birthday, a child would help buy something for someone in need.