YES! And I do it often.

Why?

Because I can identify opportunities that they may miss.

“Hi! My son would love to give you a hand taking your shopping!”

“Yes, my son would love to make you a coffee!”

“Go up in front and present something? For sure, he’d love to try!”

“Sure, he can help your kid learn maths!”

“Help you find the beans in the store? sure, my son is faster, he will help”

I gently nudged him into things… helping others, being useful and learning skills…

Through this, my soon-to-be 15-year-old is able and willing to risk himself and put his hand up to take on tasks that normally he might have shied away from. I don't need to nudge him. And the best part is when he tells me he doesn't like something, its because he has tried it and not liked it! and I am fine with that. We can circle back in a few months/years.

These kids that moan and whine that they “hate everything” or “can't do anything” but have done nothing - they have no experience! … and then we indulge them and say oh they have anxiety, depression etc… get them out doing stuff!

My son was asked to present in our local church this year for Xmas. Last year he sang in a choir despite not being a fan of singing for others. These are things that he volunteered for now, but before I would be doing it. He sees opportunities to help out and do stuff and ask questions where others miss them because my wife and I nudged and volunteered him and his siblings to do new stuff.

So yes I volunteer my kids to do things that I haven't asked first, proudly too.

The experiences my kids have gained now due to this -and confidence too- is worth the initial discomfort they felt.

Peace

The same as now. Money has nothing to do with raising kids. Raising children has to do with agreeing with one‘s partner on which values will be important: things like

a calm home atmosphere, or lively and upbeat?

How strict or lenient with table manners?

How strict or lenient with vegetables?

What sort of routines should be built in the child’s daily life?

How often will someone read to the baby?

What type of music will play on the radio in the background?

How often do you take the baby for a walk?

what type of toys? (We refused to have toys that made loud noises for a very long time)

None of these have anything to do with money, but go a long way to shape how the child‘s everyday life will unfold. Good luck.

Maybe.

For instance, I have a teenager who is required to complete 10 hours of service work per semester as a requirement for graduation. The first year he went to this school, when we’d ask if he had a place to do service hours yet, if he’d made any calls from the list of suggestions from the school or spoken to the school about doing them on site, he repeatedly assured us he had it in hand. He was working with people. He’d reached out. He was discussing different volunteer jobs.

One month. Two months. Keeps insisting he’s on top of it, but we note that he hasn’t actually done any service hours. Which place did you say you’d been talking to? Is there some confusion we can help with? No, you’ve got it all planned and ready? Okay, bud, you’re 16, if you say you’ve got it, we’ll believe you . . .

And then the last week of the term, when we point out this is the last week to get his service hours done and turned in, so what in the world is he going to do, and he throws up his hands and says it was actually due the week before, so he was just going to have to drop out of school because [melodramatic teenager rant about how the pressure is so high, highly exaggerating everything about everything].

Yeah, we called the teacher who processed the service hours, she said if we could get it in by the end of Monday the next week, she’d still accept it. We tell him getting an extension was easy, all you apparently had to do was ask.

“Ughhhhhh, fine, I’ll start calling places to see if I can work ten hours straight this weekend, even though I’m supposed to be on break.”

And so when a quick search confirmed that local foodbanks were still in need of volunteers that week, yes. I volunteered him without first checking to see if he wanted to do two four-hour shifts at a food bank. Because he’d been given every opportunity to pick one for himself, all the encouragement and offers of assistance a person could ever hope for with anything in life, and had instead pretended all was well so he could instead play with his buddies on Discord.

Got it done, got the hours and paragraph-long report handed in, assured him that in future terms, he could only choose his own if he got the hours complete by halfway through the semester, and at that point we were picking for him.

Go to your (DSS) social worker, in your city or town where you live. She can help you.

Call your local town clerks office, in your court house, Ask her for the name of your( DSS ) person, along with her address and phone. Once you have her phone number, call make an appointment to see her. Explain in detail what is going on in your life.

If you don’t have health insurance for you or your children she can get you on state health insurance. If she is not equipped to do this, she will tell you who to contact, or see. As it might be done in a different office than what she is able to do for you.

Also, if you need food stamps, let her know this to. She will direct you where to go, to get help. You have to call her, you have to do the leg work yourself. She cannot show up at your place, usually you have to go to her office. if you need to get to a food pantry, she will tell you where they are located in your city.

Make a list of things you need help with. She will let you know what she can and cannot do.

Time and labor. Money isn’t always any help. I am elderly with plenty of money but can really use some help. I pay people to mow the lawn and other yard work.

Big jobs have people you can hire but little things that might take 2 minutes need some help. I have a nephew I can call on. He can open pickle jars, change batteries in smoke alarms, move yard waste container to the curb when lawn guy overfills it so it won’t move. He and his wife will be hosting Thanksgiving this year. His mom and sister normally do but they are going on a cruise and will be back just before.

Driving people to doctor appointments can be a big help. When you don’t have someone, you may not get treated. Something as simple as a colonoscopy requires someone to drive you, wait and take you home. My boyfriend had an appointment and I called to say I was coming to visit to drive him, and he said he was thinking he needed to cancel because he didn’t have someone to drive him. I just knew he would need that so planned to do it without him asking. When he had lung cancer, I drove him to chemo and waited hours for months and stayed at his house while he had hospice. Money only solves financial problems everything else takes time, energy and kindness.

My brother is in bad shape now, his son borrowed his ladder. My brother needs to call if he plans to use it to get it back. His son will show up with the ladder and make sure his dad doesn’t attempt to climb and do whatever he was planning to attempt.

It is very hard sometimes to recognize if our efforts are genuinely help another person. But I do know that there are people who need help and will actually benefit from it. There are some people who ask for money for food but what they really intend to buy is beer or drugs. I’m not making judgement on the individual. But the question is are you helping them?

I do feel that if you want to donate money it makes much more sense to donate time or money to a church or charity. That way atleast you can get a write off. Donating money to panhandlers may be contributing to crime within that community. I say that because crime increases whereever the homeless set their tents.

Tonite I stopped at Wynnco to pick up groceries. They know me there. I am a regular customer at the store. Jokingly I told them I was going to walk out without paying like the homeless do. Ofcourse I would never do it. And they all know it. The clerk shared that in the last hour three different customers had done just that and there was nothing the employees could do about it. You have to ask yourself do you honestly want to help someone like that who has no problem victimizing local businesses or residents?

Recently the Supreme Court concluded that homelessness is a crime. But just like shoplifting and illegal drug abuse those crimes have been decriminalized. Meaning it’s wrong but there is no punishment for the crime. My advice to you is do not do something foolish that might put you or your friends or family at risk while trying to do a good deed for a homeless person whom you don’t know.

I understand why people want to help others. But I don’t know why it has to be a person that is likely to be unworthy of your help. Why not invest your money in stock. Investing in stock is like helping the working class. In the process you might actually help yourself as well.

By that age children know the value of money so YES!

Every Friday (pay day), start with $0.50. Then remind the child that doesn't buy much; and if he saves it a week, he will have a dollar! Also, tell him that the store will ask for tax on what he buys and the reasoning behind tax. The answer is the government gets the tax from the store to build schools, pave roads, and build bridges. Tell him if he can find something that is less than .50, he will have enough for the tax. Tell him that if he saves up a $1.00, then you will help him out with the .10 tax because he was such a good boy all week.

Now why should you pay him for doing nothing all week? You don't, you assign him a chore. Pick up all toys and put in toy box.

When he is six, put dirty dinner dishes in the dish washer. Raise his allowance to .75.

When he is 7, assign a new task. Raise allowance to $1.00.

Remember that you don't have a child to be a maid for you.

Always praise his good work ethnics.

If he did a poor job, be polite but tell him he has to do over.

Put a calender on the refrigerator. Give him a silver star every day he does his chores correctly. Visual aids shows his progress. Verbal praise gets him a hug and a pat on the back.

Why would you need financial support? Are you living beyond your means? Why do you think your child is obligated to provide you financial support?
If you need help, sure, you can ask. If they are willing, then you’re lucky. But if they aren’t, it’s up to you to get yourself out of trouble.
I would hope that requesting money from your child is a last resort. But from the way the question is worded, it looks like you’re expecting a monthly stipend. Would you want them asking you for monthly income after they are old enough to take care of themselves?
Consider what you’re asking for & why. Then determine if what you want is unreasonable or if you would do the same if it were them or any other family member asking the same of you.

We made it a family outing to go and work at Church that serve dinner for the homeless. We assisted those in need to recover from fires in San Diego.

My oldest did training and was a missionary for a few years. He now has his Master in Counseling.

My youngest while a sophomore in high school told me late one night that they were turning his high school in to a shelter for those displace by the fires He said he and his follow ROTC buddies were going to help.

They work for about 10 days at least 16 hours or more every day. I ask why were they doing it? Were they getting community service hours or something.

He said they were not getting anything from it. They just wanted to help people in need.

This is why we volunteer to aid those in need.

I have found that most people tend to be lonely in life; especially the elder ones.

Take Time to listen to them and try not to slow them down if they are still able to go places or be involved with other activities.

These things make them feel alive and they still contribute to the world and to those they love in the world.

A majority of the time_ we look for tangible things to help them and that's just fine.

In my experiences with people, such as myself, desire things of the heart that doesn't cost a dime.

Love, to be noticed, time well spent together, and making them feel alive and needed.

Those are helpful ways and they are Christlike.

Money cannot buy love and experience and intuition cannot be taught.

Love one another_ it doesn't have a price tag. 💞

Listen genuinely. Spend time. Be a good friend, spouse, parent, sibling, etc.

Be courteous and patient, including to people in customer service. Cashiers and waiters work harder than many people realize, and they too often take abuse. Be generous with praise and thanks if someone helps you. (You will often get better service in return.)

Offer your time and skills. Help someone who's older or injured to clean and maintain their home. Volunteer in any way that you feel you can contribute. There are volunteer opportunities for teaching and mentoring, for planting trees, for serving lunches to people who are hungry, and much more, so look around for things that interest you.

Donate blood, and sign up to be an organ donor. Learn first aid and CPR. If you drive, do so safely and courteously.

Be generous with your knowledge. Give directions if anyone asks. I've benefited from the assistance of staff and strangers navigating unfamiliar bus and train systems the world over, and I've pointed the way when I'm at home and others are lost.

Advocate. Write your congress members or visit a city council meeting. Bring attention to problems and thank them for good outcomes.

If you also want to give money, know that you don't need to give a lot to make a difference. If $10 is what you have to spare, it's okay to give that much.

If you think a particular effort or organization is making a difference, spread the word. Post on your social media and draw attention.

If necessary, I would handle it by asking your child for a loan. That is the only thing to do that is appropriate. Tell them you will repay the loan as soon as you are able to and then do so. Make payments if you can’t repay the loan in one lump sum the way you received it. I highly doubt Your child will charge you interest.

It would not be appropriate for you to expect your child to give you permanent or even long term financial support without repayment so I am hoping that’s not what you have in mind. It will be up to your child as to whether they will accept the repayment or not. Depending on the size of the loan, they may waive it but that is entirely up to them and not for you to suggest.

Whether your child has children of their own or not is not relevant.

Of course.

They’re adults. They should absolutely contribute. Your financial Requirements end when they’re 18. That might extend a bit as they “Test their wings” in college, or their first few jobs. But it’s not, stricty speaking, required.

When I went to college, my Dad said to me, “Son, I’m proud of you. You’re welcome to come visit every weekend, bring your clothes to wash. And you can even raid my fridge. But I don’t have any money.”

As for how much - that depends on a lot! How expensive is the city you live in? Do you have any idea what they’re costing you? Like, how much cheaper the utilities would be of they weren’t there? Or how much food they eat? That sort of thing? Do you have any friends that are in a similar situation? Maybe ask them what they charge

Just as a Starting Point: If you just need a little help, maybe $100–150 a week? If you’d prefer them out, make it more?

Hello Luka

I have set up direct debit payments to various charities over the last 10 years, yet only one or two at a time, so moving from some to new ones.

Some are great and others have the wrong mindset.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Do they have the right mindsets (more so the company and not so much the Volunteer or Ambassador as they may still be in training)
• What is the charity’s level of success
• What is the percentage of total donations given to the causes?

There is nothing wrong with you doing your ‘Due Diligence’ first then subscribing later rather than taking it up there and then.

Best wishes

Bhavin

Before you pay any bills, chech with your local government. A lot of cities and towns may provide assistance for groceries, medical, utilities, etc. You might have a local group that runs a food bank. Even local used clothing shops sometimes have more than just clothes. This last summer, a local private food store gave away lunches every day of the summer.

Get on any and every assistance program too. Food stamps, medicaid.

And though it may sound too humiliating, TELL the people around you that you need help. There are a LOT of kind generous people all around you that would be honored to assist you, but they don't know your need.

Check with local churches and houses of worship. When I was in pastoral ministry, I always had access to a fund for local needs. I always had $20 gas cards and grocery cards with me. But you'll have to ASK!

Hope you stay strong.

As a saying goes, “help yourself first, before you can help others.” After all, you mentioned it yourself, you don’t have money to give to others.

Start working on yourself first. If we really think about it, wouldn’t you be also poor since you do not have money? Now the thing here is that you are poor by the amount of money you have in your pockets, but you don’t have to be poor in spirit to start helping yourself.

Every big thing starts with something small. Right now, you are without credit, but I can see that there is passion in you. So, I suggest, you should use this passion to drive yourself into bringing yourself into a state that will enable you to help other people. Are you a student right now? Then focus on your studies. You can also join student organizations that does things like helping the poor, teaching children, and the like. Focus on yourself first because if you’re helpless yourself, how do you expect yourself to be able to help others?

Just be reminded, not everything is about money.

Right now, again, you have no money. So you should be able to, in a certain degree, relate to those people. Befriend them. Talk to them. Let them feel that they aren’t just outcasts and that people care for them. That’s one of the things you can easily do for them.

Now, if you end up finally able to help other people, remind yourself that spoon-feeding people, no matter what state they are in, is never an option. Give them opportunities. Help them climb they’re way up in the way they can, just as how you will climb up yourself.

Best of luck to you.

There are pros and cons to this consideration. I paid my children an allowance as does my son for his daughter. Some say that being a part of the family includes certain responsibilities and they should be paid for being part of those responsibilities. However, the other side of the coin is that it afford the parent to build a reward system for doing a good job as when they grow they will have a job to do and depending on how well they do it can affect their future and earning opportunities.

I do not think a child should just get a blanket amount no matter how well or how poorly they do the chore. I think it should be based on attitude and the quality of the job done as to how much they are given. This begins early training for future responsibility in my opinion.

My granddaughter began at 4 doing simple chores like picking up her clothes and toys in her room, moving to helping her Mom on weekends sweep and fold clothes and now at soon to be 8 she is very responsible and can clean her own room, including putting her clothes away after Mom washes them. She helps load and unload the dishwasher and so many things and most of the time does it with a great attitude. She stays with her grandmother after school and during the summer as Mom and Dad work, she stays with me as often as possible too and she is a great help and very responsible so I think there is positives in giving a child chores, however I also think it important not to use them as a slave and to give them positive affirmation when you know they are doing a really great job.

Most NGOs in developing countries will not ask you to pay to volunteer. Instead, they will happily invite to work with them and assist them in whatever capacity possible. NGOs are in dire need of manpower, especially educated manpower that can help them with documentation, report writing, research, networking, and fundraising. If you can support them in these areas, they will welcome you as a volunteer and work for them.

However, they are “packages” developed by certain organizations that offer “volunteering” services to ex-pats on a payment basis. They are more like “holiday packages” offered to individuals who would like to spend their vacation with remote communities, living with them and working with them - experiencing their life and optionally supporting their work.

These “holiday packages” are marketed by organizations and tourism agencies because there are people who are willing to pay for them for this new kind of tourist experience. In a way, it is a form of revenue generation for local communities, the local NGO, and the tourism agency. This type of work is not volunteering but rather enjoying your time and also gaining a new experience of living. It does not entail intensive work such as helping the organization write reports or develop project proposals (unless if you wish to) nor will it add on to your career development.

Adventure Alternative in Nepal is one such program that offers “volunteer” opportunities at a cost and there is “Plenty of traveling and trekking” as part of your work.

If it's not a particular person you want to help, call up a social service and ask what they need. They may be short on certain staple food items for a soup kitchen or maybe they need other supplies like hygiene products. Often women who are struggling don't have enough menstrual products which can be a nightmare when in poverty on the streets.

Usually well meaning people tend to load up charity services with stuff they don't need leaving them to be creative with what they have and short on what they prefer.

Fresh food is typically in demand, a few huge packages of ground meat or fresh veggies could be appreciated.

Like the others have said, there are pros and cons to this although I think 5 years old is a little young for this and I’ll tell you why. At 5 years old, her idea of doing things for money is not a precident you want to set, especially in a daughter. By all means give her an age appropriate allowance if you want, it’s a good way to help her learn about money, telling her, each week we’re going to put 50 cents in your piggy bank and when your piggy bank is full, we will count out the money (learning some simple math at the same time! YAY!) and we’ll go to the store and you can buy something with your own money! She’ll love that! At 5, I and my sister helped around the house, doing dishes or setting the table and were expected to do it to help mom, not for money. An allowance didn’t come into play until we were preteens and could walk to the store to buy stuff on our own, it was not in exchange for helping around the house. We helped out around the house because that’s what everyone in a large household does, age appropriate chores were given to everyone and we did them, allowance or not. If we got into trouble for some other reason, our allowance got withheld (along with other diabolical punishments like having to match your 4 brothers althetic socks - Thanks Dad!)

One better suggestion than giving money for helping out, in my mind, is tell her that helping mom cook or pick up frees up your time for them to have fun with you , that’s all kids want, time with mom or dad, where you are focused on her. Read her a story when the chores are done, take her to the park, let her pick what she wants to do one on one with you.

I think it’s way too early. Just let them be kids, you really do not need to teach a 5 year old to manage money, and if you give them pocket money they could become addicted to sweets or sugary drinks which are horrible for kids’ health. They could be bothered by other kids for it, like bullying, it happens very often. If older kids know a little kid regularly has money they’ll often take it from them and this could make your kid feel really bad and the older kids could physically threaten the kid to not tell you. You’re just asking for it by giving little kids money. You’re also making childhood materialistic and teaching preschoolers to be consumers. Wait until they’re like 10–12. Do give them lunch money if that’s the system where you are.

It is okay to ask friends for money when in need, however it is important to be honest and up front about the situation. Explain why you need the money, and how you plan to pay it back if possible. Additionally, be prepared to accept a “no” if your friend is unable to help. It is also important to remember to return the favor, or help your friends out in the future, if you are able. Known quote “a friend in need is a friend indeed” always remember that.

Getting children involved in volunteering is a great way to teach them empathy and community responsibility. Start by choosing age-appropriate activities, such as helping at local food banks, participating in neighborhood cleanups, or visiting nursing homes. Look for family-friendly volunteer opportunities through schools, community centers, or organizations like Habitat for Humanity's youth programs. Encourage their interests by selecting causes they are passionate about, and lead by example by volunteering together as a family. This fosters a lifelong habit of giving back and making a positive impact.

I am sorry to say this but PEOPLE who want to raise funds for helping the needy should find an existing organization (or form one— see other answers re: this.)

If you are successful, there can be tax issues— if not for you, possibly for those who give through you.

There are many existing organizations in most communities: churches, food banks fraternal organizations, thrift shops. etc. Most of them are in need of volunteers as much as money.

Re: tax issues. Saay you are successful and raise $100,000. That could be seen as income to you IF NOT donated to a legitimate charity. However, if one of your donors gave you $10,000 and then wrote it off as a charity donation…. that could be seen as tax fraud since you are not a recognized charity. Avoid the hassle — volunteer.