Radio Commentary
Parents can model for their children how to be a good
citizen, especially during the summer months.
One good
place to start is to find at least one cause or need in your community where
you can volunteer your help.
Let your
children know why you think that area is important and spell out for them how
you are trying to help. Let your child join you if he or she wants.
Most
children will be eager to become involved — but don’t force it if they’re not.
It’s
important to let each child choose where and how to help, so that they can take
ownership in the progress that is made.
Opportunities
range from helping other young people or senior citizens, to helping animals or
an environmental project.
It’s also
good to find and share success stories with your children.
It’s easy
for any one of us to become overwhelmed by problems in the community or the
world. But the truth is that individuals can and do make a difference.
Talk to
your children about the importance of joining forces. Encourage them to involve
their friends or classmates in tackling big projects such as a creek or
playground cleanup.
All these
activities help reinforce the actions of good citizens. They help plant the
seeds that individuals make a difference, and that in a democratic society we
all have a responsibility to do things “for the good of the order.”
