Hold A Charity Birthday Party For Your Child
By Rachel Goldstein, Fri Dec 9th

As a parent, you probably know that the birthday party routinecan be an almost painful experience. With about 20 children inyour child's class, going to more than one birthday party in oneweekend can occur quite often. If you have more than one child,birthday-party weekends can take over your entire life. Findingthe right gift takes hours, wrapping the present and preparingthe card is more time. When it is your child's turn for abirthday party, do you really want to put other parents throughthe same routine? Will your child really appreciate 20 birthdaygifts on top of what you and your family have already given him?Does your child really need more toys?

Teaching our child that it's just as wonderful to give as it isto receive is almost never easy. But once they understand theconcept, the rewards can last a lifetime. As a parent, youprobably want to guide your child to become a healthy andethical adult. How can you lead your child to a healthy future?What kind of activities can you do together as a family thatwill steer your child towards becoming a compassionate adult?Community service and Volunteerism are your answer. Not onlywill you show your child that it is “cool” to care for others,but it will also be a wonderful way to get others involved. Youcan do just that with a birthday party.

Firstly, you must discuss this with your child. You can't justannounce to your child that some or all of his gifts will begoing to charity. Avoid bribing and coercion, the mission is toget your child enthusiastic about helping others. I suggest thefollowing:

1. Know Your Child and How Much He Can Be Expected to Give -Just because you are enthusiastic to give all of your child'spresents to charity, it doesn't mean that your child will feelthe same way. Again, don't coerce your child to have acharitable party. Discuss with your child different ways thathis party can become a means to give and not only to receive.For example, The child can keep half of his presents and theother half go to charity.

2. Know Your Child and His Interests– Each child has intereststhat can be converted into a great giving and charitableexperience. If your child is interested in art, match them upwith an art (http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org). Ifyour child is interested in homelessness, match your child'sparty up with a homeless shelter. Once your child is matchedwith the right charity, your child will have a rewarding charitybirthday that he will always remember.

3. The Actual Events of The Party Can Be For a CharitablePurpose – Instead of giving away your child's presents, you canconsider holding a charitable project as the entertainment. Forexample, Making and Stuffing a Teddy Bear Project(http://artistshelpingchildren.org/donateteddybears.html)

anddonate all of the teddy bears to a local pediatric hospital,orphanage, or shelter.

4. Have Every Child Bring a Used Toy or Item to Give to Charity– Instead of having every child bring a new item to be donatedto charity, have everyone bring in a used toy, or other item.These items can then be donated to a non-profit organization.For children who aren't excited about having a party,you can have everyone bring in a small gift for the birthdaychild in addition to a used item.

5. Remember to Still Make the Event Special for The BirthdayChild – Don't take all gifts away from your child. You mustallow your child to still receive gifts from you, familymembers, and other close people in his life.

6. Meaningful Conversation First – If our child is having adifficult time figuring out what he wants to give to, itmight be a good idea to watch the news together and see whatsparks your child's interest. Sometimes seeing less fortunatepeople and suffrage can spark a child into wanting to give.Also, bring up social issues and discuss them with your child.

7. What Do My Parents Do? – Children learn by example. If yourchild sees you as a giving individual, they will be more likelyto want to give of themselves as well. How can you expect yourchild to give up things that are important to them withoutgiving items yourself. Consider doing something giving at yourbirthday every year as well.

Can Having a Charitable Birthday Party Really Be Good For MyChild?

You bet it can! It has been proven by researchers that a child’sself-esteem is boosted when taking on altruisticresponsibilities. When children help others, they will begin tounderstand that they have the strength to make a real differencein their world…and this is a great feeling. Another enormousbenefit of a charitable birthday party is that a child will gaina deeper understanding of the needs and wants of others.Researchers have also noticed that children who volunteer orgive charitably might gain increased academic skills, includingcritical thinking and problem solving skills.

I run Artists Helping Children –http://www.ArtistsHelpingChildren.org - A non-profit charitydedicated to bringing comfort to children in hospitals, clinics,and shelters by brightening their environment with murals,artwork, toys, and art supplies.

Rachel Goldstein is Founder of Artists Helping Children –http://www.ArtistsHelpingChildren.org - A non-profit charitydedicated to bringing comfort to children in hospitals, clinics,and shelters by brightening their environment with murals,artwork, toys, and art supplies.

About the author:Rachel Goldstein is Founder of Artists Helping Children –http://www.ArtistsHelpingChildren.org - A non-profit charitydedicated to bringing comfort to children in hospitals, clinics,and shelters by brightening their environment with murals,artwork, toys, and art supplies.