Giving

If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.

If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.

If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.

~ Chinese proverb

Children learn a lot from the adults closest to them.  They watch, emulate, absorb ideals and values.  We carry so much responsibility when bringing a child into the world!  Sometimes I ponder on this and allow the seriousness of parenting to settle around me - we have so much to teach!  Manners, be kind to others, be kind to animals, bring your dishes to the sink and rinse them, apply your gifts, find your passions, take care of the world, put your shoes on before you go outside.  It is up to us to raise strong young men and women who can someday help to make the world a better place.  Our world needs all the help it can get some days!  Most days.  Sigh.  Our first step could be teaching how to spell 'altruism'?

Here are a few guides to help us help our children learn how to help others:

Takes the child through some thoughtful exercises to get him thinking.

Gotta' love the underdog with the heart of a hero.  Dex is special!  I am fond of this book.

Just a few ideas.  There are many books that specialize in this topic.