As a mom, I often catch myself thinking about how I’m raising a future adult which, let’s be real, is kind of a scary thought! Parenthood is a big responsibility, and the weight of the role can keep us up at night. Between packing lunches, buying school clothes and creating holiday traditions, it’s also our job to show our children how to express gratitude and the value of giving back.
Recently, I was chatting with my own mom and this topic came up. I was reminiscing about the different ways she and I got involved in our community when I was young, and she mentioned my grandmother did the same with her. How special to know that along with the traditions of watching football on Thanksgiving and getting new pjs on Christmas Eve we can also create traditions with our children that make a difference in the world. The Waco community is strong and is always working toward a common good. There are a variety of local organizations that make it easy to give back and many which encourage you to include your kids or even the whole family.
Two easy ways I have found to start involving kids at an early age are by volunteering at nursing homes and at animal shelters.
When I was younger, I participated in a program where we read to seniors. While it was intended to be us giving back to them, the bond we had was special to me and it created memories for both of us, reader and listener. Another rewarding way for kids to give back is spending time at the local animal shelter. Often these are at max capacity and in need of help. Learning how to care for a living creature helps build responsibility in our little ones. And the animals certainly perk up when the energy of children step into the facility!
Another simple opportunity you may not have thought of is volunteering at the local library. These are a great community resource, and I know it’s one of my daughter’s favorite places to spend a rainy Saturday. The volunteer coordinator at the Hewitt Public Library, Kayla Pecina, said, “Kids can do multiple tasks, from organizing books, light cleaning of the library and cleaning children’s toys and books. Depending on the time of year, we have kids help us out with our summer events. They love helping with crafts and prepping for programming.” Children of all ages are welcome as long as anyone under 16 is accompanied by a parent or guardian. I loved the idea of kids investing time in something they so frequently enjoy themselves.
Food banks, especially around the holidays, are in vital need of people willing to give their time. I recently chatted with the volunteer coordinator at The Shepherd’s Heart, and was told the organization is very passionate about letting kids be involved in because it’s a great way to teach them about giving back. Kids can help in both the pantry and the distribution center as long as they’re with an adult. This is another wonderful opportunity for families to come together and make a positive impact.
If your child is a horse lover, there is a newer organization in town always looking for volunteers. Unbridled Equine Programs offers equine-assisted therapy for veterans, first responders and youth. According to founder Ty Delley, they welcome anyone — whether you have experiences with horses or not. They have hands-on opportunities for those that are comfortable around the horses but many other options such as greeting guests, too.
As a mom, I desire to raise my daughter so that she grows up to be kind, respectful, empathetic and generous.
I believe volunteering together is a great way to show her the importance of giving back. If none of the options I mentioned are a good fit, it can be as simple as bagging up some old clothes or toys and taking them to Caritas or The Salvation Army as a family. The opportunities to bless others are endless — I encourage you to join my family on this journey. Let’s inspire our kids to make a positive impact!
