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Getting Kids to Look Beyond Themselves

There is unimaginable suffering going on in our world. The news shows people facing natural disasters, slavery, abuse, accidents, etc. We may not be able to solve these issues, but we do have the power to change the world for someone. Maybe it will be ourselves and our children that we change, but just think about what a whole generation of kids learning how to serve can accomplish. 

Teaching kids how to serve can be frustrating, but with entitlement and lack of motivation to get off the video games or instant TV, it has become more important than ever for youth to learn how to look outside of themselves. 

My son has been known to announce "I haaaaaaate service!", but if you're now wondering why I thought it would be a good idea to author this blog, I work at a Service Learning school and have the opportunity to be around amazing people doing amazing things all the time. And even though he may hate service, my son knows how to serve. It felt like a win when I mentioned that I was going to fill in for an after school club and my son said,  "I can do it for my service project for class." I can't say that he never complained about it, but he spent most of the school year assisting a teacher for two clubs a week. My afternoons freed up and J received a Presidential Award for serving more than 50 hours (that's what you call a double-win). He's actually excited to volunteer at an all day event this weekend, check back to see him working a silly hat and get some ideas for service you can squeeze into a busy life.
J volunteering at an after school club


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