Don’t take the attitude of “It’s not my job.”
How many times have you asked your child to help out with a chore in the house and the response you received was, "It's not my job." Not a good thing to say. The next time you hear these four words talk about the importance of working as a team player not only in your family but at school, work and in your community. More importantly, talk about the value of having a servant attitude. What kind of world would we live in if when an elderly person or handicapped person struggled to open the door at a store each person that passed them said “It’s not my job to help them.” or if when we talk about recycling to conserve our natural resources each person said “It’s not my job.” We can start instilling the giving attitude in our youth at a young age.
Here are the facts:
Research shows that young people who serve others in the community for one or more hours a week are more apt to be respectful of others, helpful and kind, and patient. They also tend to value diversity. About 55 percent of Washington County young people, grades 6th through 12th, report serving in the community one hour or more a week, according to the Attitudes & Behavior survey conducted at all three county school districts in 2006. Encourage all young people to recognize the value of helping others.
Tips for building this asset
Start talking about service to others with these ideas:
- Encourage your child to hold the door for the elderly or handicapped citizens of our community.
- Have your child pick the clothes and toys they no longer need. Have a yard sale and donate the money to a charity or youth program or just drop the items off at Goodwill.
- Clean out your pantry and donate a sack of food to the pantry.
- Go sit and visit with an elderly person at one of the care centers.
- Challenge your child to start a recycling program in your home.
- Take trash bags and spend an hour cleaning up the trash around your neighborhood street.
Serving others is a great way for youth to explore their values and passions in life while also experiencing the gratification of helping a person in need. We all have the opportunity to give to others in both big and small ways. It is our job - and our children's job - to help others and have an attitude of service.