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Faith Topics
Serving Others as a Family
In 2002, President George W. Bush stated that citizen service has always been a cornerstone of our democracy. Since our founding, Americans have stepped forward to serve the needs of others, strengthen our communities, and defend the freedoms we treasure. With that, he called on all Americans to give at least two years or 4,000 hours during their lives in service to others. Fulfilling this mandate is even more rewarding and fun when done together as a family. Whats more, serving others as a family has inherent benefits. According to Focus on the Family vice president and psychologist in residence Dr. Bill Maier, serving and volunteering as a family:
makes children less likely to fail in school or drop out, abuse alcohol or drugs, participate in premarital sexual activity, suffer from depression, commit suicide or get involved in criminal activity
allows parents to model positive character traits like kindness, altruism and self-sacrifice
teaches the value and rewards of service
fosters family togetherness
helps children recognize that there are other needs in the world beside their own
Families can work together to serve others in many ways, including:
Do you have thoughts, questions, advice on this topic? Post your stories and comments in the forum for other parents to respond to. Enter the forum now.
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