THIS HOLIDAY SEASON….
Thanksgiving and Black Friday mark the “official beginning” for
the Holiday Season. This is a great time to redirect some of our family
attention on the media (that is bombarding us with sales and expenditures) and
focus the TRUE meaning of the Holiday Season. Parents
can take the opportunity to save money and teach their children lessons about generosity and kindness. No
matter how elaborate your holiday plans are, it is important to talk to
children about the true meaning of the holidays and the spirit of kindness and
generosity that surrounds this special time of year.
Discovery School embraced three projects this 2016 Holiday season.
One is the NPH Giving Tree which consists of an initiative to provide shoes and socks for
each of these children at the NPH home in Talanga. A giving tree was set
up on the second floor of the secondary building. Tree tags with the
children's size information were provided.
The second project we embraced was preparing the traditional Christmas Baskets for our
Support Personnel at
school. We opened our hearts and
shared with those around us that need it most. Discovery School students came
together and contributed in assembling baskets of goods for our support
personnel.
The school also participated in the Jugueton 2016 organized by the first lady. The school
donated 161 new toys that will be used in this magnificent event which makes
children in dire need extremely happy.
Other important and effective ways to foster, teach and encourage children with the true meaning of the Holiday Season are the following:
ü Get
your children involved with volunteer
work. There are countless opportunities for volunteering with
church, civic, school, and charitable organizations. Just pick up the
newspaper and you will find listings of ways in which the entire family can
volunteer over the holidays.
ü Commit
to quality family time over the holidays. Establish holiday rituals
that don't involve buying lots of stuff or spending too much money. Baking
cookies, doing a craft, reading a special book or setting family game/movie
nights will provide with fond memories for all.
ü Talk
about beginning the new year with a family
giving box and set it up
during the Holiday Season. Everyone can regularly add a small amount of money
to the box to contribute to a group or cause the family agrees to support.
ü Encourage
children to make cards and
gift certificates/coupons that
loved ones may redeem with acts of generosity and kindness. In doing so you
are teaching that the real meaning of the Holiday Season is NOT attached
to a $ sign.
ü Think
of someone without a family - a soldier, a distant relative, a friend in the
hospital - and write a letter as a family to make the person feel
loved and included during the holidays. These letters can also include special
friends and family members who we want to express our gratitude and
appreciation for.
ü Be
prepared to say “no”. Sometimes it’s not easy to say no, but you can do
it. Get your mindset in gear to make what matters work--quality family
time that will not get lost in the busyness or unnecessary expenditures of the
season.
Why
not make this the year to teach your children what’s important in
life? Years from now, watch for the smiles as your adult children replay
their memories and give thanks for the meaningful time you spent
together. Enjoy the Holiday Season!!!
