Teaching Through Giving: Finding the Balance

Christmas, we’ve been told and experienced for years, is a time of giving, but lately, I’ve been thinking about how to teach that lesson to my children in a way that truly resonates. With so many heartbreaking things happening in the world, it feels more important than ever to include helping others in our holiday traditions. Yet, there’s a fine line between sharing the importance of giving and overwhelming young minds with the weight of it all.

Each year, we try to include some form of charitable giving—donating toys, food, or even creating something together to give to those in need. It’s a way of showing my children that Christmas isn’t just about what’s under the tree but about extending kindness and care to others.

But here’s where it gets tricky. How much do you tell them? How do you explain why there’s a need for these gestures without burdening them with fear or sadness that they’re too young to fully understand? I’ve found myself carefully choosing my words, giving just enough context for them to see why their actions matter but not so much that it weighs heavily on them.

It’s a delicate dance—helping them see beyond their own world without taking away the magic of childhood. Teaching compassion and action while protecting their innocence, is a difficult thing to juggle.

In the end, if Christmas is all about harbouring hope, and we can pass on that message to them, perhaps it will grow into something that carries them—lessons of kindness for themselves and the people they help—through all the seasons of life.