The Ultimate Opportunity

Develop a legacy of compassion around the holidays My wife and I are blessed with three great kids, now ages 19-26. Something we’ve learned along the way is the importance of tradition to kids, so we’ve developed a family tradition of making charitable giving decisions together during the holidays. The compassion for others, through sharing of one’s resources, offers a recurring theme which a family can rally around in a fun and meaningful way, year after year. Such a bond can be a saving grace as cultural, personal and economic forces can fragment many families’ connectedness. Here’s my recommended simple process to build this family bond: Consider your capacity to give, with money and/or time, and set a annual gifting budget for your family. Remember, as your family builds a strong financial position, it will be positioned to give more. As most charitable requests feel compelling, setting a budget assures your family’s broader needs are also honored. Throughout the year, place charitable marketing pieces, interesting articles, and ideas in a dedicated file for later review and reflection. Avoid spur of the moment decisions around commitments, instead allowing your family time to reflect on the many important causes and effects of your gifts. As the holidays approach, sort through various possibilities and select 5-10 which you feel are most worthy of family consideration. These may follow a family “theme”, such as helping you...
Source: Conversations with Dr Greene - Category: Pediatricians Authors: Tags: Perspectives Parenting Source Type: blogs