Teach kids awareness of poverty, curb selfishness, entitlement, develop empathy | Examiner.com

 Ever get tired of seeing entitlement and selfishness in kids? It is annoying, but so are people who complain about insensitive, lazy, unappreciative "kids today." Like entitlement was never a problem before this generation and all who came before were models of selflessness. They weren't--selfishness has been a problem since time began. Where do these self-righteous folks think children learned selfishness? By watching adults! If kids lack sensitivity, it's because adults have fail ed to model it. Parents and all of society must demonstrate compassion or it has no right to complain. Children learn empathy, especially with those in need. Here are ways to break children's selfishness and entitlement attitude and develop empathy, awareness of poverty, sensitivity, compassion and generosity.  Teach kids awareness of poverty, curb selfishness, entitlement, develop empathy | Examiner.com

Dunkin' Donuts tops Starbucks in Christmas holiday cups: Good Christians rejoice

Christmas 2015 might go down as the schmaltzy and most superficial ever, thanks to the Starbucks "War on Christmas" Red Holiday Cup Controversy. The Christian Science Monitor reported Nov. 11, that Starbucks put out plain red holiday cups, devoid of Christmas ornamentation (reindeer, snowflakes, etc). Some Christians said it was a full frontal attack on Christmas (even though real Christian Christmas symbols are a Baby Jesus, nativity, angels). Donald Trump called for a boycott of Starbucks (good Christian that he is!) Now Dunkin' Donuts tops Starbucks offering Christmas holiday cups with holly on them. Really good Christians, rejoice! (bad Scroogy Starbucks, don't you know that putting coffee in plain red cups means you hate God? Looks like somebody will be getting coal this year!) Dunkin' Donuts tops Starbucks in Christmas holiday cups: Good Christians

 

Suggestions for Lenten Food Pantry Donations

Do you donate to food banks? It's a great form of lenten almsgiving for Catholic Christians. Food makes good zakat donations for Muslims, too. So what kind of things do you give? I have issues with some items our church food pantry requests: Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, boxed macaroni and cheese, boxed potatoes. I don't buy these products and I'm doing people a service not buying it for them. This "food" isn't food at all. It's full of fat and sodium and just convenience junk. If food is going to homeless people, I see why packaged is essential. They have no place to cook. But presumably the recipients of our food pantry do, ergo the Hamburger Helper request. Here's a list of better donations for food pantry donations this lent.   Do You Give to Food Pantries? What Food do You Donate?

Kids who are taught Empathy Learn Generosity too

I just called Number One Son (chronological, no favoritism). I had to nag him to confirm if he'll be flying with us to New Orleans to see his sister and also to find out when he and girlfriend would come for Thanksgiving. Then I found out he isn't coming. He's going to New York to help at a homeless shelter. Here's more about how to teach kids empathy, awareness of poverty and holiday generosity. My Generous Big Little Boy

Bible Almsgiving Activity for Lent

In the gospel, Jesus tells a story about a man who gave each of his servants a certain number of talents (money in those days). Catholic teachers, parents, homeschool families--use this parable in your lent devotions with an easy almsgiving activity. Here's the conclusion of the parable plus lesson plans to accompany.

In the Bible story, the master instructed his servants to find ways to make the investments he gave them grow. He wanted to see how his servants would use the money. He gave out sums of 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000 based upon his trust in each servant. The servants who were given the larger amounts each doubled theirs, but the third servant hid the money in the ground because he was angry with his master. The master was pleased with the first two and gave over to them all the money they had made. The master took the third servant's sum away and rebuked him for his vengeful spirit. The 1,000 was given to the other servants. Read  more Bible Almsgiving Activities for Lent