Children learn generosity not by listening to what their role models say,
but by observing what they do.
By being active in Philoptochos, women across the country are modeling charitable behavior that in and of itself instills moral values in their children. Actions speak louder than words and when children see their parents participating in philanthropic endeavors, helping others, and raising money for social causes, those actions are internalized as standards for good behavior.
Church attendance sets the stage for demonstrating a moral and philanthropic life. Participating with family and continuing at home with Gospel readings and discussion exhibits an active faith of love and compassion.
In addition to the events that are tailor made for families such as church festivals and Make a Difference with Loukoumi Day (Oct. 25, 2014), bring your children along to watch or participate when visiting a nursing home, volunteering at a soup kitchen, running for a cause, or planting a vegetable garden to share with a pantry.
In fact, you don’t need to leave your home, if you work on Philoptochos reports, mailings, and writing at your own kitchen table where your children can see what you’re doing. Ask them to help, even in a small way, and encourage them to come up with their own ideas on how to contribute to the community.
Let your children see and hear what you are doing for Philoptochos. Your benevolence will expand to instill ethics in the next generation.
Read the article by Adam Grant for details on the psychological experiment: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/12/opinion/sunday/raising-a-moral-child.html
