Raising Generous Kids Starts with You, Dad

Dads, Don’t Wait for December—Now’s the Time to Teach Generosity

June is barely halfway over, but we're halfway to Christmas. It's the perfect time to start planting habits of generosity that we'll reap during the holidays.

Before the busyness fully takes over this summer now is the perfect time to teach your children the gift of generosity.

Yes, December will bring its share of donation drives and service opportunities. But what if generosity wasn’t something we dusted off once a year? What if it became a family way of life—rooted not in tradition, but in character?

A Story That Shows Us the Way

Years ago, I visited Berry College in Georgia and learned about Martha Berry, the school’s founder. Her father, Thomas, was a successful cotton farmer—but more than that, he was a generous dad.

He often took young Martha into the mountains to deliver food and supplies to struggling families. And on more than one occasion, she gave away her coat to a child who needed it more. At home, the Berry family set an extra plate at dinner—for anyone who might show up in need.

That legacy of love and generosity shaped Martha so deeply that she founded a school to help mountain children get the education and values her father had modeled.

That’s the kind of lasting impact a father can have.

4 Ways to Build Generosity into Your Kids' Lives

1. Lead by Example

Your actions preach louder than any sermon.
Kids copy what they see. When they watch you give freely—your time, your resources, your energy—they absorb it.

Look for teachable moments:

• Give anonymously and let them see your joy in it.
• Invite them to participate in something small, like carrying items for a neighbor.
• Praise their efforts when they show kindness or share without prompting.

Generosity is contagious—but it starts with you.

2. Volunteer Together

Serving as a family makes generosity feel normal—not just noble.

Have a quick brainstorming session:

• Who do we know that needs help?
• What’s something we could do this month to bless someone?

Start simple: deliver cookies to a teacher, rake a neighbor’s yard, or visit a local shelter.
For younger kids, keep projects short. For older kids, challenge them to choose and lead the effort. And don’t stop there—schedule 3–4 days next year for family service.

3. Encourage Daily Sharing

Generosity doesn’t start with a charity drive—it starts with a heart that looks outward.

Model and coach sharing:

• Toys with siblings.
• Snacks with classmates.
• Time and attention with family.

Create a family culture where sharing is assumed, not exceptional. Over time, it builds empathy, reduces entitlement, and strengthens community.

4. Teach Gratitude Year-Round

Grateful hearts are giving hearts.

Talk often about:

• How someone’s generosity has blessed your family.
• Small daily gifts—like a safe home, a warm meal, or an unexpected kindness.
• Why you’re thankful for each other.

Encourage kids to name their blessings out loud or in a gratitude journal. Gratitude builds perspective. And perspective fuels compassion.

Bottom Line for Dads: Be the Spark

Generosity doesn’t begin in December. It begins with a dad who sees beyond himself, who chooses to shape his kids into people who care.

Start now. Start small. But start intentionally.

Because long after the toys are broken and the trees are down, the legacy of generosity you plant in your kids will still be growing.

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