A few months back, while navigating a bustling street in downtown Chicago, my eldest child, Liam, asked if he could have a few dollars. I initially presumed he wanted to pop into a nearby store for a candy bar or a drink, so I quickly declined. His persistent requests caught me off guard, prompting me to turn to my partner for assistance.
“What do you need the money for?” my partner inquired.
Liam replied, “We just passed a homeless man, and I want to give him some money.”
In that moment, I felt a swell of pride for his empathy, coupled with a hint of embarrassment for not inquiring sooner about his intentions. Children, by their very nature, possess an innate generosity and kindness. While they may occasionally exhibit selfish tendencies, they generally have an instinct to help whenever they see a need.
It’s adults who complicate matters. We create divisions between the privileged and the underprivileged, imposing arbitrary standards of worthiness. Our actions can sometimes overshadow the genuine, caring generosity that children naturally exhibit. However, as adults, we also hold the power to nurture this inherent kindness. We can encourage their generosity and help cultivate a future generation of compassionate individuals who can foster connection and perhaps even change the world.
Recently, my family attended a welcoming event at a local mosque, Masjid Al Huda, in the Chicago suburbs. To say it was a profoundly moving experience would be an understatement. The hosts greeted us with warmth and open arms, and the gathering included people from diverse backgrounds and faiths, all coming together in unity. The love and generosity displayed that day was truly inspiring. We left with a deeper understanding of the Muslim faith and the kindness we encountered.
A couple of weeks later, I observed Liam crafting his Christmas wish list. He initially wrote down items like an iPhone, but after my incredulous reaction, he revised his requests to more reasonable items, like a remote-controlled car and a pet hermit crab. When he asked for further suggestions, I encouraged him to consider gifts for others, including donations to charitable organizations he cares about.
After some brainstorming, he decided to include “donations to the mosque we visited.” I reached out to learn how we could make the donation, and the following evening, a board member from the mosque called to express gratitude. Soon after, his family arrived at our home to thank Liam in person. In a heartwarming gesture, they gifted him the remote-controlled car from his list, despite it being a wish for which he wouldn’t personally benefit.
As we exchanged our heartfelt thanks, I couldn’t help but feel emotional. While hugging the board member and sharing tears on my front steps, I realized that this was the essence of true generosity—taking care of one another.
As Scott Harrison, founder of charity: water, noted, “Every child, if they truly understand, will choose goodness and happiness for others over material possessions. It’s our responsibility as parents to give them that opportunity.”
This is what I strive to do—foster opportunities for my children to value kindness and the welfare of others over material goods. We incorporate giving into our family routine, and it’s encouraging when our friends and family share this perspective too. Each holiday season, my extended family participates in a gift exchange where a portion is always a donation to a cause meaningful to the recipient. This year, Liam drew his cousin’s name, and knowing her passion for animals, he planned a donation to the local animal shelter.
I often find myself grappling with whether I’m effectively nurturing my children’s natural generosity. I worry that, due to their comfortable lifestyle, they might fail to grasp the true meaning of gratitude. More importantly, I want them to recognize the cycle of generosity—not as mere charity or as giving away surplus, but as a heartfelt exchange that emphasizes caring for one another. I want them to genuinely desire to support those around them.
Despite feeling overwhelmed by the world’s challenges, that evening on my front steps reminded me that even small acts of kindness can ripple outward. While no one can do everything, everyone can contribute something, even if it’s simply teaching our children how to make the world brighter through their generous spirits.
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In summary, generosity transcends mere charity; it embodies the essence of taking care of one another. By nurturing our children’s natural inclination toward kindness, we can help them grow into compassionate individuals who understand the importance of supporting their communities.