How do you nourish a spirit of giving in your kids?
If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Up to his nest again, I shall not live in vain.
– Emily Dickinson
Make yourself necessary to somebody.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve.
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her.
It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed.
– Mother Teresa
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How do we teach our kids to give?!
This was the big question on @BruceSallan‘s #DadChat with Ted Rubin (@TedRubin), surprise guest Anne Geddes (@annegeddestweet) and all of the #DadChat women, friends, and fans.
This special #DadChat was dedicated to helping raise funds for Shot@Life (@ShotAtLife), a movement to protect children worldwide by providing life-saving vaccines where they are most needed. Over $1,400 was raised for Shot@Life (@ShotAtLife) in the online #DadChat auctions and even more was made in direct donations – all in ONE HOUR!
Ted Rubin
Ted Rubin is a dad, social marketing strategist, and CMO that emphasizes ROR, Return on Relationship. Bruce says that he is the most followed CMO on Twitter! Ted’s website is here.
Anne Geddes
Anne Geddes is a world-class photographer known for her award-winning photographs of babies, flowers, and pregnant moms. Her photos are icons that celebrate birth, life, and joy.
Shot@Life
Shot@Life educates, connects and empowers Americans to champion vaccines as one of the most cost-effective ways to save children’s lives in developing countries. GIVE here.
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The Auction
1. Stay at Caesar’s Palace for two nights plus airfare for two to Las Vegas
Donated by Holly Pavlika (@HollyPavlika)
Winning bid by @TedRubin.
2. 2GB iPod Shuffle #2
Winning bid by @LovelyLu
3. 2GB iPod Shuffle #1 and an autographed, limited-edition book by Anne Geddes
Winning bid by @JPLovesCotton
4. Autographed, limited edition book by Anne Geddes
Winning bid by @Bruce Sallan
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The transcript for this #dadchat is here:
Join the fun! Log-in to #DadChat every Thursday night at 6 pm PT, 9 pm, ET: http://www.tweetchat.com/room/dadchat
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Snips and Bites from this #DadChat
The tweets listed below only represent a fraction of the chat and participants. See the transcript for the complete record of this epic chat.
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Teaching kids how to…
Pay it forward
Give back
Care for others
Look beyond themselves
Repair the world (Tikkun Olam)
Make a difference
Change the world
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Starbucks or a vaccine for a kid that needs it?
Anne Geddes (@annegeddestweet)
$20 can vaccinate a child against 4 deadly diseases. Donate to @ShotAtLife
Both of my college age girls love giving of themselves, their time, resources, whatever they can.
Sharon Greenthal (@sharongreenthal)
Daughter and I were in National Charity League. Son, not as much philanthropy work, unfortunately.
My nieces split their allowance 3 ways: to spend, to save, to give. They choose the cause. Started when they were 9.
Ted Rubin (@TedRubin):
I try to teach my girls by example, even though it takes longer.
Dan Metcalf (@DanMetcalf_):
My son did this for me actually. #oldsoul During his battle with cancer his strength of faith overwhelmed us all
Jack (@MunkayJacked):
My kid is 2 and we already gather toys she doesn’t use and we donate them every December. Teaching her to #payitforward
We donate toys every few months but we’re also trying to show kids how to help by volunteering. #payitforward
Beverly Davis (@Beverly_Davis):
Children hear what you say but remember what you do. Be the example… they will repeat kindness.
Kids learn what’s important to you by watching what you do. Once the seed is planted, it is always there!
Shot@Life (@ShotAtLife)
Your voice and ur support can change a child’s life forever. Explore the ways that u can make a difference!
Barry Adkins (@KevinsLastWalk):
I think all kids should have to make a trip to a 3rd world country so they understand how good we have it!
Ted Rubin (@TedRubin):
I say it here, and to [my daughters] all the time… do for others without expectation of anything directly in return.
Anne Geddes (@annegeddestweet)
Vaccines help level the playing field so all children no matter their situation have a shot at a healthy life
JenniferBurden (@WorldMomsBlog)
Evry 20 secs child dies of vaccine-preventable disease.This is 2 much 2 handle. We can make a diff!
My pay it forward is to teach children to use their God given gifts and pursue their passions in life.
An anonymous dad from Brooklyn (@DadandBuried):
Social media will provide our kids w access to the rest of the world. That alone will help teach them
Brian Vickery (@dbvickery)
Strongly agree via @Beverly_Davis: Children hear what you say but remember what you do. Be the example… they will repeat kindness
Bruce Sallan (@BruceSallan):
Are YOU modeling Paying It Forward to YOUR kids? I think if the modeling is there, it should take care of itself.
Ted Rubin (@TedRubin):
It’s about simply being the person u want them to be, letting them see, and giving them time to absorb.
Marvin Washington (@imamover):
Teach sharing from the heart…
There is a need to educate society to “pay it forward” but it isn’t always possible. Educating your children is
Jack (@MunkayJacked):
It’s important for us as parents to be motivated to pay it forward ourselves. We can’t expect our kids to if we aren’t doing it.
Andrew Kardon (@Mommys_Busy):
You’re never too young to start learning. Last year my kindergartner would help me carry bags of cans into donation boxes.
Kenyatta Uzzell (@KenyattaUzzell)
It’s never 2 early 2 teach your child 2 Pay it Forward. Lead by example. As they grow older, they’ll follow your example.
We have to teach our children HOW to care and love one another. Because we want them to live fully, strongly, wholeheartedly.
Charles Bentley (@charlesabentley):
Tweeting for all future dads. Let’s ensure all children have a Shot at #Fatherhood thru the power of #vaccines.
Luke (@LukesThinking)
We are all role models. Whilst you may struggle to see the impact you have overall, you WILL see it in your kids
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Related Blog Posts
Pay it Forward: Give a Child a Shot@Life by Ted Rubin
The tree of life outside the town of Tanga by Holly Pavlika
Living Below the Line: Hungry. Tired. Worth it. by Devi R. Thomas
Love is six parts giving and one part talk by Bonnie Squires
Jordan’s Story by Nisha Varghese
Related Books
It’s Up to You, What Do You Do? by Sandra McLeod Humphrey
Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss
Dare To Dream by Sandra McLeod Humphrey
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Teaching Children Empathy, The Social Emotion by Tonia and Caselman
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Stan Faryna
An American living in Bucharest, Romania, Stan Faryna searches for better questions about who we are, what we’re doing, and how we shall better know ourselves and love others. He hopes for answers that fill the heart, lift it up, and substantiate the dignity of the human person.
