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How Your Family Can Get Involved and Give Back This Holiday Season

December 3, 2019 in Grace

This post was sponsored by the USO. All opinions are my own

During the holidays it is very easy to forget just how fortunate we are. The whirl of activity, the lavish decorations, and oh yes — the presents — take all our attention and distract us from the fact that not everyone has these holiday indulgences. It’s even harder for children to remember this.

But children even as young as two years of age can begin to learn about the importance of giving back in their communities.

Every year my family participates in at least one activity where we can give back in form or fashion. (For instance if we do an angel tree, we will normally choose 2 or 3 names off of the tree and purchase a gift for them.) This has been a tradition of ours for 5 years now, and my kids look forward to it every year.

This year my family is participating in Giving Tuesday and will be supporting the USO; this holiday season and particularly on Giving Tuesday, let’s give back to the men and women who give up so much.

What is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.

USO Giving Tuesday

The USO’s mission is to strengthen service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.  During the holidays, hundreds of thousands of service members will remain on duty, away from home; this means they are missing precious moments and favorite traditions.

In the spirit of wanting to connect service memebers and their families during the holidays, the USO asks all military supporters to join in as a Force Behind the Forces®.

The USO Wishbook helps to deliver care packages that provide comforts of home, prepare warm meals, bring entertainment tours to troops to boost morale and provide technology that enables connections to family and friends.

You can choose from sending comfort food packages to supporting the Bob Hope Legacy Program: Long Distance Bedtime Stories; which allows one recording of a service member reading a bedtime story on camera to send home to their children

Opportunities to Give Back Throughout The Holidays

Teaching your children to be charitable doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money either. There are several other options for those who wish to be charitable with little to no out-of-pocket cost.

  • Donate Clothing and Toys: Goodwill is an amazing place to donate. By allowing your child(ren) to select which items they would like to donate to another child, it allows them to be actively involved in the process and adds value to the task they are doing. Doing it for them diminishes the process and doesn’t give them any incentive to enjoy it.
  • Offer a Meal: If you have an elderly neighbor, or if you know a family in need of a meal, donating non-perishable food items or cooking a meal is another way to teach charity. Whether you put together a basket, cook a hot meal, or donate to a food bank, you can also use this particular opportunity to talk to your children about being thankful as well.

Doing It Right

Make giving a family affair for your children. Include them in the process of deciding how your family can give back during the holidays. It’s also important that kids know why they are doing it and not just going through the motions. Young children may not fully understand, but they will understand that they are helping (and at a young age they always want to be helpful as much as possible).

Lastly, don’t forget to make them feel appreciated for their hard work; no matter how big or small their gestures, they should know that whatever they did, it was amazing.

If you want to make giving year-round for your family, check out Volunteer Match and Do Something. They offer great opportunities for kids and adults to volunteer in our area.

Happy Holidays!

Does your family have a charitable holiday tradition? Share yours in the comments.

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Natasha Brown is a mom of four and head sock finder in her home. Grits & Grace was started as a way to meet other southern moms who love everything from their smock dresses and Lily Pulitzer to sweet tea. Let's connect!

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Instagram post 2191552714630267066_4152450831 Getting my 11yo son to read has been quite a task! For him it was about finding the right books, but I wanted to expose him to a variety. So he and I made a compromise and this is where @owlcratejr came in! Each month this a themed book box for middle grades and each one so far has been something that he is in love this! This months box features parallel worlds!
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#kidlit, #mgbooks, #kidsbookstagram, #bookishplay, #kidslovebooks, #readingisfundamental
Instagram post 2190432386470485516_4152450831 AD: I have used to always look forward to visiting my grandparent's home during the holidays and experiencing my grandmother's amazing cooking! Even though they are no longer here, I love that I am able to carry on the tradition of being able to share her amazing dishes with my husband and children, and in hopes that one day I can pass on the secret recipe box to my son and daughters! I want to know about your favorite holiday traditions! I've partnered with @FoodLion to share my favorite memory, now let's hear yours! Let me know in the comments how you celebrate and some of your favorite memories! https://izea.it/asBXwfG #OurHome #MakeMoreMerry
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Having the appeal of a child’s first train set, much like my own from childhood, the intelino smart train, with the updated smart features, is a fun twist in a classic toy that really allows kids to have more control over it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Intelino provides a basic instruction leaflet that is enough to get you going. There is also an instruction card for the action snaps that explains what colors and sequence of color can be used to provide instructions to the train like turn left, or right, or increase speed, or decrease speed, etc. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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​Kids are learning how to code, without actually being in front of a device! If you are a parent who is concerned about screen time the same as I am, this is a major win/win!​​​​​​​Intelino provides a basic instruction leaflet that is easy to read, so the kids were pretty much able to start putting it together on their own.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Instagram post 2186489576537144852_4152450831 I just love it when classic characters are upgraded and given fun new stories that we can continue to enjoy! The Old Lady is no different!

Ever since my oldest was a baby (she’s now 15), I have enjoyed reading these stories to her, of course at that time, the Old Lady had only swallowed a fly. Since then it’s been snow, turkeys, bats and now even a cow! There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Cow from @scholasticinc 
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Instagram post 2191552714630267066_4152450831 Getting my 11yo son to read has been quite a task! For him it was about finding the right books, but I wanted to expose him to a variety. So he and I made a compromise and this is where @owlcratejr came in! Each month this a themed book box for middle grades and each one so far has been something that he is in love this! This months box features parallel worlds!
.
.
.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#ilovereading #bookcommunity #bookaddiction #bookobsessed #goodreads #instabooks #bookblogger #readersofinstagram #ireadya #youngadult #yareads #yalovin #booklife #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #instabook #booknerd #booklover #bookphotography #bookworld #greatreads #toread #becauseofreading #booksofinstagram⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#kidlit, #mgbooks, #kidsbookstagram, #bookishplay, #kidslovebooks, #readingisfundamental
Instagram post 2190432386470485516_4152450831 AD: I have used to always look forward to visiting my grandparent's home during the holidays and experiencing my grandmother's amazing cooking! Even though they are no longer here, I love that I am able to carry on the tradition of being able to share her amazing dishes with my husband and children, and in hopes that one day I can pass on the secret recipe box to my son and daughters! I want to know about your favorite holiday traditions! I've partnered with @FoodLion to share my favorite memory, now let's hear yours! Let me know in the comments how you celebrate and some of your favorite memories! https://izea.it/asBXwfG #OurHome #MakeMoreMerry
Instagram post 2189384418938782632_4152450831 We are always looking for exciting ways to engage the kids in a fun screen-free activity.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Intelino smart train makes the train playtime more magical and exciting than ever.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Having the appeal of a child’s first train set, much like my own from childhood, the intelino smart train, with the updated smart features, is a fun twist in a classic toy that really allows kids to have more control over it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Intelino provides a basic instruction leaflet that is enough to get you going. There is also an instruction card for the action snaps that explains what colors and sequence of color can be used to provide instructions to the train like turn left, or right, or increase speed, or decrease speed, etc. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
​Kids are learning how to code, without actually being in front of a device! If you are a parent who is concerned about screen time the same as I am, this is a major win/win!​​​​​​​Intelino provides a basic instruction leaflet that is easy to read, so the kids were pretty much able to start putting it together on their own.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#kidsactivities #stemactivities #intelinosmarttrain #kidstoys #christmasshopping #codingactivities #blackgirlscode
Instagram post 2187928840748015253_4152450831 🎼 Can’t nobody tell me nothing 🎶 Yep it’s the day after Thanksgiving, and my house looks like a winter wonderland. Mariah and the temptations on full blast all morning, with White Christmas playing on Netflix. It really is the most wonderful time of the year! When do you put your tree up?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #ChristmasTreeDecorating #holidaystyle #ChristmasCountDown #ChristmasPresents #ChristmasTradition #ChristmasTree #Decorating  #TisTheSeason #SeasonsGreetings #ChristmasShopping #HolidaySavings #BlackFriday #CyberMonday #StockingStuffer #WishList #ChristmasBloggerBash #HolidaysAreComing  #ChristmasAroundTheCorner #ChristmasTraditions #ChristmasJokes ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #ChristmasSpirit #ChristmasLoading #ChristmasFun #ChristmasCheer #ChristmasMood #ChristmasMagic #ChristmasIsComing #ChristmasLove #Christmassy #ChristmasVibes
Instagram post 2187443353247076281_4152450831 When dinner isn’t quite ready but you still have plenty of pages in your favorite book. #thanksgivingdinner #thanksgivingwithblackfamilies  #wellreadblackgirls #browngirlswhowrite #browngirlswhoread #melaninsisters #sisterlove #childrenspicturebooks #yalit #blackmomsblog #blackfamilies #blackfamiliesbelike #blackgirljoy #blackgirlslay #teammelanin #melaninmagic
Instagram post 2186489576537144852_4152450831 I just love it when classic characters are upgraded and given fun new stories that we can continue to enjoy! The Old Lady is no different!

Ever since my oldest was a baby (she’s now 15), I have enjoyed reading these stories to her, of course at that time, the Old Lady had only swallowed a fly. Since then it’s been snow, turkeys, bats and now even a cow! There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Cow from @scholasticinc 
Aaryn loves to hear me “sing” this particular story to her, and the best part is watching her get excited about what animal is going to end up on the next page! 
If you are looking for a fun and engaging story, I highly recommend this one for your little one! #scholasticbooks #childrenspicturebooks #childrenspicturebook #scholasticbook #childrensbooks #melaninbabies #wellreadblackgirl #wellreadkids #bookstagram #bookgramit
Instagram post 2185868052524315455_4152450831 Teaching your kids about money is an important part of parenting. Often times people graduate from high school, and even college, with little to no concept of how to save money, make investments or manage their taxes. The appropriate age for your child to learn about money is total up to you, however imparting financial knowledge to them is highly important and the sooner you share your knowledge with them the better off they will be. 
Beyond Piggy Banks and Lemonade Stands: How To Teach Young Kids About Finance by @lizfrazierpeck from @rowmanandlittlefield is a must have for all parents!. If you are a parent and are not sure where to begin when it comes to teaching your kids about finances, then I have a PERFECT book for you!

What I loved most about this book and Frazier's tips, is that her concepts are broken down (like part 1 for instance with 2 subparts and mini or “bite-size” pieces) for parents to follow along and put into practice. Her advice is straight to the point and she doesn't make parents who do not know the information already, feel guilty for not knowing.

It's a teaching tool for parents and kids to go through and learn together (if they need it). Since we are the newest generation of parents, she is giving us a way to help guide our kids down the right path to *hopefully* avoid financial failure in the future!
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