4 Questions to Ask When Volunteering with Your Kids
Dive into summer service fun with your family this season and find new, fun ways to give together! Don't know where to start? Keep these 4 questions in mind . . .
1) What is truly the best time to do it? Summer months can quickly fill up with camps, reunions, vacations, you name it - it might seem like squeezing in a service project between other commitments is your best option, but it's not! Volunteer time with family is best spent when you're not running to and fro, when kids are really taking the time to give back and think about how they're making a difference. Find a whole morning or afternoon to spend volunteering and catching up afterwards with the kids, that truly makes all the difference.
Related: 10 Summer Family Volunteer Ideas
2) What do the kids want to do? You would be surprised at what creative and inventive service ideas kids can come up with! Instead of signing kids on for food pantry duty, ask them what they might be interested in doing volunteer-wise; perhaps the local animal shelter is calling them, or they would prefer to do something from home like bake goodies for a neighbor.
3) Do your kids want to bring their friends? Volunteering can be even more impactful when kids are making memories with their friends while they make a difference! Big volunteer groups are great for community and river clean-ups, sorting and packing at the food bank or fixing a meal at a local children's shelter.
4) What are your kids learning? Volunteering with family can teach empathy, kindness, determination, organization . . . the list goes on! What are your kids taking away from volunteering? How is serving together making your family stronger? Encourage kids to talk about lessons they learned and experiences they had when serving - a follow up conversation can strike a chord in kids that helps them discover new ambitions and passions they pursue in life.
Related: Mark Your Calendar for Family Service
And don't miss our free eBook: Family Volunteer Ideas A- Z >>
