How Can We Teach Our Kids The True Meaning of Christmas?

Author: Sheritha Singh

In a world dominated by gifts that many cannot afford, how exactly can we teach our kids the real value of Christmas? Unfortunately, there are not many handbooks for parents addressing this, often making it a case of trial and error. Here is what I have learned in raising my (now) 15-year-old nephew.

• Money is not a prerequisite for providing Christmas gifts. My family regularly spring-cleans closets, kitchen cupboards, and the house in general. We donate clothes, fashion accessories, cutlery, crockery, and more to shelters or needy families.
• Never under estimate the power of a living gift. I have taught my nephew to plant, transplant and pot his own living gifts.
• Handmade gifts are just as valuable as store bought ones. My family has recently embarked on a craft craze, mainly for relaxation purposes. The beauty of crafts is that the gifts we make usually cost a fraction of what we would pay in store. The best benefit is that it is filled with love.
• My sister bakes cookies for road workers (i.e. those maintaining the roads on Christmas). The look of joy and surprise on their faces at her unexpected gesture is enough to remind us about the true meaning of Christmas.  

While we embark on our craft crazes, spring cleaning, and random acts of kindness, my nephew watches. Teaching a child about the true meaning of Christmas (or any special occasion for that matter) should not be a one-time occurrence but rather an ongoing lesson. The daily, weekly, or monthly activities dedicated to helping those less fortunate should involve the entire family. This is how we impart our knowledge to the younger generation.

I am not claiming to be a genius but the activities mentioned above has helped us raise a kind, honest young man who is aware that he can make a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate. For us, that is an investment worth making.

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Beyond the Borders Ambassador Program

Hi #TeamV4S!

We are excited about the plans we’re making about our *NEW* BBA Program.

It’s slated to launch in 2015 but we’re recruiting new members for our planning committee!

Quick snapshot: The BBA (Beyond-the-Borders) Program is an international community full of writers, artists, photographers, and volunteers dedicated to doing one thing – speaking up for kids all around the world.

We’ll be covering hot topics from Human Trafficking to Childhood Cancer…and what WE can do to stop it! 

How does this differ from V4S?

 

The BBA Program focuses on countries outside of the USA & we’ll be integrating videos, photography, forums, and more.

If you’re interested – let us know.

We’re dedicated to speaking up as LOUD as possible about and for our kids!!!

Follow us on IG and Twitter with hashtag: #raisingawareness and join the conversation!

Youth Employment Summit

HEADS UP! Check out this cool event coming your way:

“Youth Employment Summit”

Date: Wednesday, April 18th
Time: 8:45am – 3:30pm
Place: The White Plains Crowne Plaza
Ages: Open to the public and all youth ages 16 – 24.

 If you are in the Westchester County area, please stop by! There are tons of things for you, your kid, or your youth group to check out. Let’s help them get a head start on their career. This summit looks wonderful & we encourage you to pass it on to your circle or recreate it in your own community. Actually, this summit gives us a few ideas! (Inspiration at its finest hour!) Don’t miss out!

 

Your Looks Are NOT Superior, We’re All Different! (Part 2)

By: Shudiara McMillian

Being a good parent involves many important aspects other than just providing the best for your children. That is all fine and dandy, but you need to help them build good character, not just aid in helping them build themselves off of good looks or material things. Teach them to love and respect everyone no matter what racial background they are from. Children repeat what they hear and what they see, and it all starts from home. Shallow, one track mind children grow up to be shallow, ignorant, one-track mind adults who only see beauty in what they were taught all their lives. 

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Give your children something they can hold on too. They can grow up with thinking they are superior because you told them they were, but later in life they can so destroyed as adults. They will eventually find themselves taking jabs at another person just to make themselves feel good. Do not destroy or taint your children, teach them to accept all people with all different features, and skin colors, and hair textures. If you are a person with or without children and you struggle with thinking you are superior and are not accepting of different people but you want to make a change, I will keep you in prayer that God changes your heart and mind on the matter. It is not your fault you only copied what you were taught. God loves us all and if you are striving to be Christ-like know that he accepts us all and does not see skin color, hair texture, or facial features. With saying that I am not even going to tell you to get on my level or on another person’s level that has total confidence, but get on God and Jesus level; get like them. 

I also think the media has a lot to do with the world accepting all types of beauty, because they only put one image of beauty on top (y’all know what I’m talking about). It’s not just a black thing, but other ethnic backgrounds struggle with this very thing. Beauty is not what is on the outside, beauty starts on the inside and it shines through from within for everyone to see. This world is very shallow and judgmental, but as an individual you can make it a little better by doing your part. Build other women up and care about them. Be a good example to your children, nieces, nephews, and god-children. Real Men do your part and shut your boys down when they have conversations that pick women apart. You can make a change let your light shine on that darkness.

 

God Bless

Shudiara McMillian

© 2012 Dec SLM Writing All Rights Reserved.

Your Looks Are NOT Superior, We’re All Different! (Part 1)

By: Shudiara McMillian

This blog post is actually a response to a recent YouTube video I saw. If you are interested click the link and watch the video first to get a better understanding of my response!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuHkKYu2Fok

Whenever an individual makes certain comments that aim to bring down confident people, you have to look at the bigger picture to make an intelligent response. People like that are jealous, and their self-esteem is usually very low. You could be thought to be the most beautiful man or women someone ever laid eyes on, but at the same time be so shallow and destroyed on the inside. It is very sad that we are so divided as men and women mostly women by our skin color, hair texture, body types, and facial features. It is not a bad thing to be different in these areas it is how God created us to be.

farroutlinks.net

However, it becomes an issue when you think of yourself to be superior than the other being that someone told you your shape is better, your skin color is better, and your hair texture is better than his or hers.  It is such an issue that as children many are brainwashed into thinking they are superior to others because they look a certain way, or a small boy grows up to think that a certain woman is superior being that she has certain features, skin color, and hair that appeal more European or acceptable. As parents, we should teach our children to accept all people from all races. How can you view yourself to be a good parent when you don’t allow your children to build their own perception of others?

 

Stay tuned for Part 2 on Thursday!

 

© 2012 Dec SLM Writing All Rights Reserved.