Teaching Your Child the Meaning of the Season

As the Christmas season gets into full gear, we think about the gifts we are going to give our families, friends, and business acquaintances. The importance of Christmas to most people is the joy we see on our children's faces when they open their gifts. Christmas is for children. It is a magical time.

The visit to see Santa in the mall, decorating the Christmas tree and the house, the smell of cookies and cakes baking in the oven, singing Christmas carols and visiting with family all contribute to the magic of the season.

Throughout the year you have been teaching your children values, religious and moral, that you want them to carry throughout their lives. As soon as you feel it is appropriate, you should teach your children about giving to others and sharing the bounty we have received. The Christmas season is a way to reinforce those teachings by involving your children in community service projects.

When you take your child to the shopping mall during the Christmas season, why not have your child pick out a toy to give to another child. During the Christmas season, there are many organizations, especially firemen, who have drop-off points for toy donations. Sometimes they need volunteers to sort and wrap the packages or to deliver them.

Another gift of the season is to visit senior citizen residential homes. Many of them do not have families. Bake cookies with your child and visit with the residents. They will appreciate your kindness. You should call ahead before you visit.

There are other ways you and your family can share this season. There are programs where you can "adopt" a family. You can provide toys for the children and foodstuffs for their dinner. Or you can serve dinner at a homeless shelter.

A good community service program will help to reinforce the values you are teaching your children.