by Norma Budden

Created on: October 21, 2009

How to encourage your teen to volunteer...

Life is filled with a variety of activities and interests; sometimes it's hard to choose between what you would like to do and what is most important to do. However, as parents, some of your choices have greater impact on shaping the future of your children.

Volunteering - what does it mean? What's involved? How much is expected of you as a volunteer? What do you gain?

First of all, to volunteer is to give of yourself to help another; it always involves donating your time but, sometimes, it requires a financial donation. During other times, it means providing information in your area of expertise or, in its most basic form, your assistance is required.

Volunteers surround you; they offer to watch your children for a couple of hours so you can get some time to yourselves. They help in hospitals and give patients something to look forward to. Volunteers may be leaders or coaches of extra-curricular groups in school. They are found in organizations designed to help the poor; you'll find them in the shelters and soup kitchens. You'll find them all over the place during a national catastrophe. Sometimes you'll even find them on the streets. Essentially, when you perform a task without getting compensated, you are volunteering.

When you volunteer, you are offering to do something which you want to do, with no feeling of pressure associated with the deed; there is no force or coercion involved. If you decide not to volunteer at a later date, it's up to you. If you decide to volunteer for longer durations of time, that's also up to you. Essentially, your services are desired for as long as you are interested in providing them.

The art of volunteering doesn't come with a manual; some people have a knack for reaching out to embrace those in need, while others focus largely on themselves and/or those in their network of family and friends.

If you volunteer of your time to help others - whether helping the poor and homeless or a sports team down the street - there are a few things you can do to encourage your child/teen to follow in your steps:

When possible, take your child with you when you volunteer. Let him watch along the sidelines so he can get an idea of what's going on and the role you are playing in making things possible.

Observe people less fortunate. Take your child to meet some of the homeless people living on the streets, without going into the dangerous parts of your town/city. Ask them their names and talk to them as

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>