Three Simple Questions: A Daily Reminder to Give

By JoAnn Turnquist
President and CEO, Central Carolina Community Foundation
March 28, 2014

Similar to many areas of life, learning to give takes practice. For many of us, giving does not come naturally but is something we must grow to appreciate and value and be reminded of on a daily basis. This is especially true as we strive to raise generous children.
 
One simple way to encourage your family to talk and think about giving is to ask three simple questions at the end of each day:
 
1)     What did you enjoy most about today?

2)     What did you enjoy least about today?

3)     What Act of Kindness did you perform today?

 
As first, your family may struggle to provide answers to these questions, especially question number three. As time continues, however, your family will begin to anticipate them. They will begin to think about their answers throughout the day and look for opportunities to give of themselves. The Acts of Kindnesses your family performs can be simple- picking up a piece of trash, sharing a pencil with a fellow student, talking to a friend who was sad. But each of these small acts lead to something much bigger- learning the joy of giving.
 
Asking these three simple questions on a daily basis encourages your family to reflect on their day — on the blessings, challenges and ways they are giving. Not only do these questions encourage conversation, they can become something children look forward to discussing and sharing. As asking these questions become a habit, children will begin to look for ways to answer question number three, and in turn, practice and learn how to give on a daily basis. You may find them running home with excitement and anticipation over telling you how they gave of themselves that day.
 
These simple questions can also be a starting point for talking to your children further about giving. There are many great resources available about how to further your family’s conversations about giving, including many listed on our Talk About Giving site. As you sit down for dinner with your family this week or begin your night time routine, start the discussion with these three simple questions and begin to plant the seed of giving to others every day.

If you have any questions about giving, please call me and I’ll help you find the answer.http://www.yourfoundation.org/

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