November Feedback
November is notoriously the month of being thankful and for expressing gratitude. Part of this routine process is really reflecting on the bounty of what we have… the love we feel, the valued friendships, the conveniences, the things we take for granted and yes, all of the “stuff”. It feels good to acknowledge life’s blessings, big and little. And you know what? It feels even better to bless others! This got us thinking…
Does your family volunteer together? What do you think is a good age for a child to benefit from volunteer work?
“My children’s middle school has required service hours, which I LOVE! I think 12-15 years old is a great age for kids to experience volunteering in a more independent way. The responsibility of choosing their volunteering opportunities is on them. So they choose what interests them, and lots of kids plan out when they are going to volunteer with their friends, making the requirement both rewarding and fun. I think exposing kids to the feel-good experience of volunteering helps them get into serving the community. I know for a fact that many students go above and beyond their required hours of service!”
-Amanda C., Associate Editor of Cincinnati Family Magazine
“Yes, periodically. I’d like to be able to have our family volunteer more often.”
-Michelle M.
“I am a little ashamed, but have to say no. We have not been able to volunteer with all of the kid’s extracurriculars, school, jobs and just life.”
-Ashley M.
“Yes! I think five is a good time for a child to start volunteering.”
-Stacey W.
“We do. My husband and I volunteer with our church and once we had kids, they have always tagged along since birth. It is what they have always known, so they willingly and wantingly participate.”
-Carly C.
“No. I lost my job and my family is more likely to benefit from others’ charity right now.”
-Rachel B.
“Yes. 10 years old is an age when it will be meaningful for them.”
-Ben W.
“My family makes an effort to leave the places we go cleaner than how we found them. When my son was 3, we went to the playground and it was trashed. I grabbed a plastic bag from my car and cleaned a lot of the mess up. He started helping me, and I guess it became a habit. It isn’t formal volunteering, but I think it is helping in our own little way.”
-Katie B.
“Honestly, no. I make lots of donations, but we haven’t volunteered together ever. I think we should change that, though!”
-Caroline S.
“We haven’t started volunteering yet, but I want to start with my 5 year old and 9 year old. I hear Ronald McDonald House has wonderful volunteer opportunities.”
-Stephanie S.
“We do volunteer! I think as young as 4 or 5 are great ages to start volunteering.”
-Lindsay F.
“We haven’t volunteered out of the house yet with the kids. My toddlers have helped gather their old toys and clothes to take to donate, though, and we always talk about helping others. Once they are a little bit older, we will definitely start volunteering in the community together.”
-Allison R.
Find past Feedback Features by clicking HERE.
