"Decluttering" in Philly

ONE CENT: Perhaps you can start by giving away things that are yours.  If you have them go through the process with you – look through piles of clothing (or jewelry, books, etc), weed through things you haven’t been using and then take a trip to the Salvation Army to donate – they’ll get a better sense of what you’re asking of them.  Explain there are many people and children who don’t have as much as they do and could really benefit from gently used items.  

When you try again to go through their things, have them choose only one item to give away.  It doesn’t have to be a big box of things to start.  Remember, it’s the beginning of a process of helping them see outside of themselves.  When teaching your children, you can start off slowly and hope they catch on quickly or at least eventually.

TWO CENT:  Let’s face it. We all have selfish tendencies that we simply have to overcome in order to be contributing members of society – kids included.  Perhaps if your children could put a face to the children who don’t have toys, they'd be more likely to give happily.  Talk to your kids about poverty – what it means, what it does – and ask them to imagine life without the conveniences of toys and food. Dave Ramsey has a good book called, “The Big Birthday Surprise” in which “Junior” learns that giving some of what you have to those in need makes a person less selfish. This story teaches children the value of giving to others as well as the great feeling that comes with sharing what you have.