giving Archives - zaparents

Ways to give the gift of generosity to kids

by Carol Surya | giving, poverty, social issues | 0 comments

When children are given plenty of opportunities and encouragement to be generous, they naturally become more helpful and caring, developing loyalty and compassion for others. A good starting place to help children understand what it means to be generous is to teach them the importance of sharing, and talk about how you feel when you give.

Making Mandela Day last

by Fatima Kazee | giving, human rights, poverty, social issues | 0 comments

So let’s make this Mandela Day the start of ongoing initiatives that are sustainable, that render good friendships between unlikely friends and that make a lasting difference – because then we can truly feel the spirit of Mandela and his great actions.

Honour all children on Mandela Day, including your own

by Mia Von Scha | gender, giving, human rights, social issues | 0 comments

We need some advocates, like Mandela, who will fight for the right of children to be seen as fully human and fully deserving of our respect, kindness and protection. We, the parents, are those advocates. The change starts at home. So here are some suggestions.

Gifting and giving

by Fatima Kazee | giving, human rights, poverty | 0 comments

I think a lot of thought needs to go into buying gifts for anyone so that they actually use and appreciate it. There’s also the issue of me not wanting the kids to feel entitled, I want them to realise that not everyone has the luxury of receiving gifts and wearing brand new clothes each special occasion. So how do we balance this without giving a sermon ..

What if sharing isn’t caring?

by Tiffany Markman | giving | 3 comments

I’ve read something with which I strongly disagree and, because I feel so conflicted by it, I’m not sure if I’m being silly or someone else is being silly. Help me? (It’s about sharing.) There’s a mom, Beth, who proudly explains that she (and her kid’s school) follow a strict no-sharing policy,

Christmas gift ideas, from freebies to cheapies and biggies

by Tiffany Markman | Christmas crafts, giving, toys | 0 comments

You may have read my last column, ‘Help! My kid has too many toys’. (If not, here it is.) You may be wondering what the hell else you’re supposed to get your friends’ and family members’ kiddies this Christmas…

Teaching kids the gift of giving

by Mia Von Scha | giving | 1 comment

We have once again reached the time of consumer mayhem, and it is easy for our children to get the message that this time of the year is about buy buy buy and what’s in it for me. Now I’m all for children having wish lists and receiving gifts, but I’m also all for teaching the kind of gifts that last you a lifetime.

Help! My kid has too many toys

by Tiffany Markman | giving, play | 5 comments

I don’t know about you, but my kid’s playroom fills me with anxiety…

The grateful challenge

by Fatima Kazee | being present, giving | 0 comments

It’s been doing the rounds on social networks. Someone nominates a few people to list the things they’re grateful for over 5 days. Which is nice. I guess it gets all of us thinking more about what we’re happy about. It makes us more aware or conscious of the things we have in our lives that we may take for granted…

Are we raising self-obsessed children?

by Sholain Govender-Bateman | giving | 9 comments

I think that many of us parents are focussed on giving our kids the best that we can afford and making them confident and independent, teaching them to always seek the best for themselves… but how do we know that we’re not raising our kids to be so self-involved and narcissistic…

Cultivating an attitude of gratitude

by Mia Von Scha | being present, giving | 0 comments

Did you know that the word appreciate has two meanings – to be grateful for, and to grow. That is exactly what gratitude does in your life – the more you appreciate…

The beggar dilemma

by Mia Von Scha | giving, human rights | 17 comments

It’s a lovely day and you’re cruising along with your windows open, enjoying the light summer breeze, when you spot a beggar at the traffic light you’re coming up to. What do you do? Quickly roll your window up? Put on your sunglasses? Pretend to be in-depth in conversation on your phone? Most of us have absolutely no idea how to deal with this…

Make Mandela Day last the whole year through

by Kerry Haggard | giving | 0 comments

Each year, we’re encouraged to spend 67 minutes doing something significant for our fellow South Africans in honour of Nelson Mandela, to show our commitment to our country,