Whether you dedicate hours a day to it, or the random hour here or there, most would agree that serving others is important.  At the top of our priority list?  Maybe not so much.  Rather than another thing you ‘should’ do, here are a few reasons to move serving with your children to the ‘want’ to do list!

1. Spend time together.  Research shows that kids with at least one parent who volunteers are three times more likely to participate in a do-good activity versus those whose parents don’t get involved.       (Parenting Magazine, March 2012).  Why not make quality time with your children an opportunity to help others.
2. Share your talents and interests.  If asked, would your children think the thing you are most talented at is making PB&J sandwiches or doing the laundry?  Our children don’t always get to see the more personal side of ourselves.  This could mean taking them to sing carols together at an assisted living facility or arranging flowers to donate to a woman’s shelter.  Service can be a vehicle not only to bring joy to others, but to show your children some of your talents and get to know you better.
3. Raise children of character.  “Kids as young as three can learn empathy, tolerance, and respect by spending time with special-need kids,” parenting expert Michele Borba, Ed.D.  Even as adults it is difficult to empathize with others who are in a situation we have never experienced.  By volunteering in settings outside our day-to-day life we can expose our children to the challenges others face and instill kindness, compassion and consideration in them.
4. We were CREATED to  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do        Ephesians 2:10
5. We are CALLED to  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms 1 Peter 4:10

How are you serving with your children?  Share a comment!

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