Udai’s 6^th birthday was coming up. Just like any other 6-year old, he wanted a party! How could I make this birthday more meaningful?

The question

I asked Udai whether he would like to make the birthday different by asking his friends to give to Udayan, an orphanage we support, instead of bringing him a present. Udai loved the idea – he personally wrote the invitation notes and was very involved with his party. There was more to it than just cake, food and games.

The joy of giving

Udai had a great birthday with his friends! That evening was spent a little differently counting money instead of opening presents. Udai had collected Rs 22,000. He was clearly elated. I don’t think a toy would have done as much.

To add to this Udayan specially thanked Udai in their annual report later that year –he was their youngest donor. He had his name and story in a book! What else could he want? Looking back, I think he got a lot more out of this simple act than he gave. He got more confidence and a better self-esteem.

All kids are born with a sense of charity and compassion. It is for us parents to nurture it. The benefits are enormous! It helps counter the “I want and I need” impulse. More importantly, it gives a kid’s self-esteem a powerful boost when he realizes he too can make a difference in someone’s life! What more it even feels good.

Nurture giving – what we can do

A few simple things we can all do to nurture that “want to give”:

1. Make going through closets to pull out clothes to give to charity a regular activity.
2. Regularly engage in simple activities such as baking a cake for an orphanage or feeding the poor.
3. Set a good example by doing it yourself. For example, go and donate blood. Take your child with you so he sees you as a model for giving. Talk about why you do what you do.
4. Create a family charity jar – in fact you can discuss which charity to give to before. Encourage your child to contribute regularly. It will build financial literacy with a sense of charity!
5. Make birthday parties a little different – encourage them to become a time of giving to others.