This week, we’re celebrating the launch of my ebook, Teach Me To Serve: 99 Ways Preschoolers Can Learn To Serve and Bless Others. Have you checked out the website yet? If not, just click on the link. I’m so excited to share it with you!
To kick off our giveaways (other than copies of the ebook itself), we’re starting with an Amazon $25 Gift Card. After all, who doesn’t love Amazon? Great prices, easy returns and just about anything you can think of. It is one of my favorite online stores, so I thought we’d start with the good old gift card. Just enter below.
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The Giveaway runs Tuesday, September 25, 2012 to Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 12:01am. Open to U.S. Residents, 18+. (Apologies to my international readers.) Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email to claim their prize. Prize will be a digital gift card sent via email.
* Go here to find out what other fun giveaways we have going on this week!
My name is Kristen. I'm a former Wedding & Event Planner blogging about fun ways to celebrate each and every day and the special occasions of life. Here you'll find inspiration for family fun, children's activities, party planning and a faith-filled life. 
My family is most important to me
Julie, don’t forget to go to the rafflecopter form above and click that you left a comment… in order to be entered in the giveaway.
Showing them by example and explaining to them about why you choose to serve others, is a wonderful way to teach them to serve. They can also join along, with small jobs. Even if it’s picking something up that someone dropped. Simple ways they can serve will help encourage them.
Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
It is a great way to show them there is more than themselves to think of.
When we teach our kids to serve, we’re helping them look beyond themselves. There are so many personal benefits to service such as happiness and friendship, but when we look past our own needs (and our kids’ needs) we learning how to develop charity and love like Christ did.
I think its a good idea to teach them to serve so they will have love and compassion for others.
Teaching them a concept of having respect for those that have less than you. They are still human and you may be in their shoes one day
We should teach our kids to serve because if they learn to serve the Lord our God, the One held in highest power, then they will easily serve others around them and be working to have and keep a heart of obedience and meekness.
I think it’s important that our children learn how to care for others and want to help others in need.
We should teach our kids to serve so they can become good adults and know that they need to do their part to help others.
kellywcuATyahooDOTcom
It’s important to teach kids to serve so they can learn to care and respect.
we should teach our kids to serve so they can be caring and responsible people
We should teach this to our kids because life should not be completely centered on oneself.
lenz.nicole(at)gmail(dot)com
They need to learn that life isn’t all about them.
slb3334@gmail.com
We should teach our children to serve to give them a sence of resposibility.
2dogs5catscrew@att.net
We should teach our children to serve by starting with everyday things like doing chores together around the house, washing dishes, vacuuming, and taking the garbage out. This will teach them about serving, even when it may not be “your job”
Christ was our example in this area – He came to minister NOT to be ministered unto. Teaching children to serve with joy is teaching them to follow in Christ’s footsteps.
Besides it being part of our faith, it makes for better citizens when our kids realize that the world isn’t all about them. We started this just by encouraging guests to our kid’s party to bring food for the local food pantry instead of presents. Couple of years later our kid is glad that this is the tradition because it helps people who genuinely need something instead of just getting more stuff. It’s a small step, but definitely encouraging that life isn’t all about “me” for this young one. 🙂
Unfortunately I see too many children who are taught the opposite – that they are the center of the universe and everyone exists to serve them. I would love to see this book become a widespread favorite amongst parents and get out of that ‘me, me, me and I, I, I, mentality I see too often these days.
By helping others, we learn compassion and giving. I think it is important as a parent to set the example, that way a child sees behavior to model.
If our children never learn to serve they will never understand empathy, compassion, and love to it’s fullest. My generation unfortunately is all about “Me!” and I fear we will not teach these things to our children 🙁
Our children should serve so they will become better well rounded adults.
Children should be taught to serve so that they can learn compassion.
Name on rafflecopter: Mary Happymommy
It’s important to teach children to serve so that they can learn compassion and caring for their fellow human beings. Thanks for a great giveaway!
trishden948(at)yahoo(dot)com
We live in a self centered society and it’s important to teach young people to serve so they can learn empathy.
We should teach them to serve so they can understand why it’s better to give than receive. There’s no greater feeling than knowing you’ve done something for someone without any thing in return.
huntandride@hotmail.com
We should always lead by example with kids. Our kids look up to us and do what we do.
This is so important
We need to teach our children to serve, so they will teach their children to serve. Think of how nice it would be if everyone did this. 🙂
We teach our kids to serve because life should not be completely centered on oneself.
To be humble and gracious
mommy2jayce26@yahoo dot com
We should teach our kids to serve because it makes them productive citizens and will lead to happier lives.
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
Because it teaches them to think of others and that that arent the only ones, how to be selfless.
frogz60@hotmail.com
We should teach our kids to serve so the world will be a better place. I don’t know why our society doesn’t seem to be teaching this nowadays but the results are noticeable.
We need to teach our kids to learn these things at a young age because society isn’t going to.
Entered the rafflecopter form as “Wild Orchid”
Thanks for the cool giveaway!
wildorchid985 @ gmail dot com
Our society doesn’t teach kids to because it’s not easy. And ours is definitely a society of convenience.
amyzak11 (at) gmail (dot) com
We need to teach our children to serve so they can grow up with a sense of self and the need to help others.
I think it’s important because it changes your perspective. Just by smiling at someone you can improve your own mood
I think it will teach them compassion for others & that’s always a good thing!
We should teach them to serve to prepare them to be well rounded and productive citizens of society.
morganedger(at)yahoo(d0t)com
People are to “busy” and selfish these days. Most don’t see the reward in serving others, when it’s the most rewarding thing you can do
We live in an egocentric society. We are told that being THE best and THE one on top is the only way to success when we need to work collectively!
Our kids need to learn to serve so they do not become selfish.
They will gain self esteem from it.
Thank you.
first and foremost i must say that i love this giveaway! great ideas to get parents to discuss an important thing in their childrens lives! my answer to why our kids need to learn to serve is simply for good spirits! when a child learns positive things to do for everyone, family and friends and strangers they learn that in a longrun it pays back and people become thankful of them!
teach our kids to serve because I want them to have charitable habits
I think that people are so wrapped up in their own lives that people start to forget about the important things in life. It’s so important to teach children why we should help others so that they learn compassion for others. It makes them a better and more understanding person.
There’s a lot of narcissism out there, and we need to counteract it.
eai(at)stanfordalumni(dot)org
there’s too much “ME” going on with kids and they need to learn “us” and “others.”
ighmeg at yahoo dot com
I think it is a good idea to teach to serve so that no one ever simply expects life to come easy to them.
Jennifer Marie
lilnursejen at yahoo dot com
I believe it is a good idea that we should teach our children how to serve so that as they grow older and have children of their own, they will know and understand that life sometimes can be rough and most of the time is never easy, and never take life for granted.
It’s important to show them that serving is caring.
I think its a good idea to teach our kids to serve so they grow up to be kind caring people
nicolemb2010 at yahoo dot com
Children need to learn how to care about other people.
I think its a good idea to teach them to serve so they will have love and compassion for others.
Me, mine, and all about me is what we teach and show our kids. Me first and not care for others.
tes 1283 yahoo
It is important lead by example and show compassion and understanding towards others.
Kids should learn about more than just themselves and about the world around them. Serving gives them this opportunity.
Kids today have no respect, parents need to learn to lead by example.
Children need to know there are other’s in their lives that matter besides themselves
So they can grow up to be respectful adults.
We should teach children to serve so they will have compassion & empathy for others.
We are all on this world together and by doing good things it influences others to do so and makes you feel good too
Helping others not only serves to give people something they need, but it makes you feel good. If everyone in society did this, then you would always have people to count on when your time of need came 🙂
serving shows that the world does not revolve around them. there are people worse off than you.
Serving teaches them to not be selfish. When we share with others, they share with us and everyone’s life is enriched. When we teach our kids to serve, they see that it really is important… not just lip service. I think society doesn’t teach the concept because they’ve fallen to the false idea that if one shares then they end up with less. Society looks at things and not people. People settle for the temporary satisfaction of winning instead of the lasting joy of sharing.
it’s important to show them that they are part of a larger community and that as a part of that community we should help one another
It’s important to teach our kids to serve so they can learn to care and respect others.
so they can learn to care for other
caseyeve_003 at yahoo dot com
I think this isn’t something society teaches because we are a very individualistic society that focuses on personal accomplishment. You can’t get to the top if you’re helping others succeed too. (This is not at all how I fell and I pray I am not raising my kids to think this way)
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I think It’s important to teach our kids to serve,because it will keep them humble,and they will see how good It feels to help someone and guide them into caring adults
It is a way to show them that there is more people out there in the world who, unfortunately, are suffering then they are, and to help them realize that they are fortunate.
Lonerwor@aim.com
so they can grow up to be better adults.
I truly believe in the pay it forward concept…when our kids where growing up I was involved in the community and the kids were involved with the senior citizen community …and now our grandkids are involved
We’re not Christian so we do care about others and how to leave the world a better place than we found it.
to make the world a better place! scg00387 at yahoo dot com
we should teach our children to serve because Jesus came to serve and make the world a better place. We should follow His example.
to think of others and pay it forward makes alot of things better
gabbflabber@live.com
We should teach our children to serve so that they can make a difference in the world.
I think it’s important that they realize that others are less fortunate and that they can make a difference when they help.
Teaching our children the importance of serving others is what connects them to the rest of the world and gives them a sense of duty that benefits eneryone.
its important for them to learn to serve because everyone should be treated with respect and kindness regardless of how much money they make or their status in society, and a lot of people don’t practice that today.
cb_shorty2003@yahoo.com
it will really make a difference in the future!
trinthegirl@yahoo.ca
I feel teaching them to serve helps them to become compassionate, tolerant people.
Teaching them to serve can help them to grasp the great JOY that comes with serving!
I think it’s our responsibility to teach our children to serve, especially in todays it’s all about me society. We want to raise compassionate, giving & loving people.
The best ( and safest) way to teach children to serve is to take them on visits to older relatives or your local nursing home:this teaches them how to be compassionate. Also, I’m a big believer in family pets- giving kids daily lessons in caring for animals.
writer61@yahoo.com
I think teaching compassion and teaching kids to serve is important, I suspect it does not get taught today because more and more we seem to be fixated on this idea that if you need help..you are “lazy”…when in fact we all need help sometimes and we all give help sometimes.
I think we are evolving into a very selfish society…it has to end with our children and their children….
Because compassion and selflessness lays the foundation for becoming a good person who will contribute to society later in life.
care for otheres and do service
I believe our society expects children to serve without leading by example. How can we expect our children to act differently than their examples,
I think the most important thing children should be taught is that they should not be expected to be rewarded for serving or helping others. Society, I think, tends to lead children to expect rewards for good deeds of any kind.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
when children learn to serve they learn to be more respectful and appreciative
because to lead one day, you need to learn how to serve
jessicawedwards@gmail.com
It is soooo important to teach them to serve with Love & respect others…there are soooo many young people in todays world that has missed this …very sad & very scary for the future…Rolltide grandmama
teaching my son to serve is showing him that sometimes its great to step back and go wow i’m thankful for what I have and hes learning to help other be thankful as well
I wish that service was a bigger part of our education–like service learning.
It would teach kids to give to others and learn how to share their gifts so that when they grow up they will be living their life purpose naturally.
It’s important to teach children to care about others.
By teaching our children to serve when their hearts are still soft, they will continue to care for others throughout their lives.
it helps them to see that everything is not about them
I want to teach my kids to serve because I believe that teaches them to love others and helps them to realize that we come to love those we serve.I also believe serving others helps us to become more Christ-like.
I think it is important to teach them to think about other, and to have compassion for them. I this this is something that publicly is not being taught, and we need to be the ones to do it.
Most people now a days think they deserve everything. They think everything should be handed to them without them having to do anything for it. We need to teach our kids that this is not the right way to do things. Thank you!
crystalfaulkner2000 at yahoo dot com
We should teach our children to serve so that they become gracious adults who are willing to help others.
I think this is something that starts out as young as possible and creates a better life for our children and everyone else they interact with!
onecheaplady@yahoo.com
what goes around comes around, treat others as you would want them to treat you – regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
We’ve turned into a society where everyone is out for herself, that teaching children to serve is an important part of helping them see the world beyond their immediate one/
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
I think it’s important to teach children that they are not the center of the universe, and to serve others is a great way to do that.
It’s good to teach them that helping others is vitally important to the fabric of our society.
It’s not for Society as a whole to teach our children anything — this is the domain of the parent. Teaching a child to serve others starts with teaching them to be respectful, courteous, and conscious of others. Serving others is as simple as opening a door, offering a hand with grocery bags, or as complicated as assisting a family at a hospice.
Terri P
pr4gatheringroses AT gmail DOT com
It’s good for children to know how great it is to help others, and that sometimes you will also need help.
ericacarnes(at)gmail(dot)com
It is important for children to know that there is much in this life besides our own wants and needs.
ltjacobs704(at)aol(dot)com
i taught my children by serving myself. I have always been active with our youth group and thrown parties for family and friends for the holiday
vmkids3 at msn dot com
I think serving makes a happier, more rounded person.
I wish it was taught to children more often. In society currently everyone is focused too much on themselves and instant gratification. I see so many posts on facebook and twitter where you can tell the person is just hoping to get some attention in the form of comments back so they feel better about themselves. I think more people would be happier if they got off the computer and helped those around them more often. Volunteering is SOOOO rewarding!
I think serving others opens their eyes to being compassionate and just understanding others, which is very important.
littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m
Kids need to have a sense of others and not just themselves. :O)
Awesome giveaway!
So that they can be humble and respectful.
hd6719@gmail.com
So they can grow up to be caring individuals
Bridget Hopper
Serving brings them the greatest rewards.
We should teach our kids to serve because it creates community.
knycks1(at)aol(dot)com
teaching childeren to serve at a young age builds a foundation for continued lifelong service.
luvdatmouse at charter dot net
It is beneficial to teach our children to serve because it makes them nicer happier human beings
annabella @ centurytel dot net
You don’t get a lot of love for being selfless.
bse it teaches you how to be humble
jdmimi at gmail dot com
I have always believed that The Golden Rule should be the guiding principle of our lives and that learning to LIVE it highest priority and greatest gift (and commandment,
Unfortunately, teaching service, sharing, generosity and gratitude has too often tossed aside in favor of encouraging competitiveness, selfishness, greed and winning at all costs. I believe that our culture and our country are paying and will continue to pay an enormous price for this sin of omission.
Thank you for the generous giveaway and for promoting this book which sounds like it should be required reading!
Jesselyn A/Jesstinger
jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com
It is a good way to show them how to care about others
Because we want them to treat others how they want to be treated.
Serving helps us not be self focused.
Because you get by giving.
Thanks for the contest.
I believe we should all take care of each other, so I want my kids to learn how to do that.
Society doesn’t teach this concept since society is more self-absorbed than ever! Thanks for the great post and chance to win.
Norleans
It is more blessed to give than to receive. Children will be happier if they are taught to see the needs of others and help others.
cjnedrow at gmail dot com
There always needs to be giving people in order for the world to continue
Thanks for the giveaway! Janna Johnson jannajanna@hotmail.com GFC: janna@feedyourpig
I think it is important to help others, so you realize there is a world outside your own. Though yours might be amazing there is always someone with more and less and it is important to help all around you because everyone is lacking in some area of their life.
fb: rab pom
We should teach our kids this because it helps instill a sense of gratitude, appreciation, selflessness, and generosity.
its important to teach our children to serve bc its what god asks of us! i dont think society likes to get in the middle of religion but i know my children benefit a lot from the ministry and going out in the field service with thier grandmother!
To teach them how to be responsible and to be humble. It is a very ego-centric society, and by teaching our children that it is not all about them, we are giving them a gift that will take them far in life and help them become caring, sympathetic adults.
tridingermckee at gmail dot com
Unfortunately we live in a very greedy and uncaring society….my parents taught us to be giving to others and not just takers…I would like to think that I have passed that down to my kids
thanks and have a great day
aunteegem@yahoo.ocm
People who serve others are simply better for it in the long run, so teaching our children to serve enriches their lives and the lives of others.
Our society doesn’t teach service since it seems to contradict the “American Dream” which is all about the acquisition of material goods and status.
I’m going to teach my child to serve. I believe wholly in it.
It is a good way to show them how to care about others and not think only of themselves
I think it is very important to teach our kids to do what they can for others and for the world. In a self-centered society, they see too much greed, looking out for number one, not caring etc. I am happy to say that as young adults my kids are extremely involved and always try to help out when someone needs a hand, the environment, animals, and causes they believe in.
Important to think of others first, be a role model
I think it teaches them compassion for others, as well as gives them a sense of personal pride and achievement.
We should teach our children to serve because it’s so important to recognize the needs of others and place others above ourselves. Society doesn’t do it because people are inherently selfish … something that just seems to keep getting worse.
Teaching children to serve fosters the recognition that every life and thoughtful act has value–our world needs much more of that in every country and culture. Unfortunately, acts of hatred and bigotry seem to get much more attention than those of service and love of mankind and the earth.
cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com
showing our kids that we respect and help one another, its not easy all the time but thats what makes it worth it!
ssgsweeps @hotmail .com
It’s important to teach kids to serve so they can learn to care and respect about their elders.
We should teach our children to serve because we are the best example for them on how to live their lives when they grow up. Everyone should not always be thinking only about theirselves.
because serving others brings happiness to us!
We should always teach our children to serve and have compassion on one another. Seems like nowadays, everyone is out for themselves. I truly believe in common courtesy, and these days, it’s simply going away….
myamurphy@mail.com
Society doesn’t get this because we are a in a culture of every man for himself.
ijessica_r at yahoo dot com
We should teach this to our children because it is the good, Christian thing to do. Selfishness is rampant in our society and we have lost focus on what is right.
lanalbradstream(at)yahoo(dot)com
It is a great way to see the struggle in other people and how lucky they are to have everything they do.
I taught my daughter to serve from a young age. She shows compassion for others, and does alot for others. I thought this was important, since she was an only child.
We should teach our kids to serve because it feels great to help others!
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Kids should be taught to serve so they learn about compassion and putting others above themselves. Our society doesn’t teach this, instead people focus on their self gratification and their needs rather then others. That is why so many people are lonely and unhappy…they always put themselves first.
I think our society doesnt teach this concept because it is pretty much opposite other pushes in society – like individualism, or to say it in a more blunt way – greed and “me first” mentality
I think that with so many dual income families & single parent families, parents are so busy & take the easy way out. It’s much easier to turn on the tv or video games instead of taking the time out to teach life lessons.
We are what we learn and alot of parents don’t serve either, so that concept is not passed on, but things are changing slowly thru more awareness and attention.
great to help others
It is very important to teach kids to serve so they have the right foundation and respect for others.
maybe society is so caught up in kids having fun and being kids that we don’t think that they can do things to serve others as well
it is important so that our kids dont grow up thinking of only themselves but to be kind and help others to make this place a better world
I completely believe in aulturism, by doing good for others you in turn are feeling good yourself. I love instilling that in people around me!
cc_girly(at)yahoo(dot)com
I think teaching my children to serve was the best thing I could have ever done for them. It makes them more compassionate,loving and caring. It helps them to see that the world does not revolve around them. It helps them to be a better person, in my opinion.
vikki.billings@yahoo.com
Children need to know it is important to help one another
Our society has become so self absorbed that I think it’s really important to bring it back around to serving others so that our children can grow up and be more compassionate to others needs.
we should teach our children to serve because it instills compassion in them. i try to teach as i teach the golden rule of do unto others.
jagar0047 at yahoo dot com
If you are teaching your children to serve, you’re teaching them to have compassion and care for others. You’re teaching them not to be selfish and to be a good human being. That is one of the most important lessons in life. You are also helping them boost their self-esteem, this is a great way to teach them to grow up with confidence because helping others who are in need is a great confidence booster.
Anything good that you can teach children is OK in my book.
Children need to learn to serve to understand that they aren’t the only ones in this world that matter. The world doesn’t revolve around them, even though this is how they are treated most of the time when they are young. I’ve seen some pretty spoiled “adults” and they make me sick.
If we teach our children to serve then they teach their children and so on imagine how much the world could change!
i think it is always great to teach our children to help others
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
We should teach them to serve by respecting others, looking to lend a helping hand and always be ready be first by sometimes being last.
Teach by example!! rachelmarietravis at gmail dot com
serving also gets them active and engaged.
Children are our future, we should teach them to serve because it’s how we should treat others. Society has gotten away from that!
to learn how to care about other people.
It is a great way to teach them compassion and respect of others
The most satisfying thing you cando with yourself is serve others.
Serving others creates love in your heart for those you serve, as well as a thankful, humble heart in yourself. Those are all much needed in society these days!
I think it is important to teach our children to serve because that is what it tells us to do in the Bible. We are responsible for helping each other and it is good for us to teach that to our children. I don’t think society teaches that because society tries to teach that it is the government’s job to take care of others.
It is a great way to show them there is more than just themselves to think about
Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com
There is no more important job than to teach our children to be loving, caring, devoted, selfless individuals.
I work in a school setting and see every day that many children are not taught to serve. It is a ‘me’ society. They need to be taught to think of others and do for others.
jenswps at yahoo . com
I think its always important to treat children to have compassion for other humans and to value life.
BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com
I think we should teach them to serve others and how it makes them feel better about themselves and makes it a better world
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
I’m very proud that my kids will volunteer to help out people on their own.
Children should do some service to charity to understand that helping others out of the goodness of their hearts is essential.
sarahyurga@yahoo.com
Because sharing is caring 🙂
Serving isn’t something that most people think about these days. Everything is all about “me, me, me”. I’d like my daughter to think of others before herself.
It is important lead by example and show compassion and understanding
We should teach them to serve because it makes life more meaningful.
julie hawkins
honeypie411 at yahoo dot com
Teaching children to serve will build empathy and selflessness — to show them that caring for others actually feels good and makes your life richer!
Geoff K
gkaufmanss@yahoo.com
It’s easy to tell children the importance of giving, but for me, we do the giving and helping as a family. This way it becomes a habit. A wonderful habit.
If we teach them in this way, our world is wide open for miracles.
Because teaching them this will help out the community and keep people helpful toward one another. Otherwise people became irritated and mean.
sugarsweet7202@yahoo(dot)com
If kids start young learning how to help others, it becomes natural to continue as they grow older.
Children is amazing they love to learn about everything email timwife@live.com
There are so many children, in this day and age, who are not being taught anything other than what is taught in school. When I was a child I knew how important it was to have values, morals, and culture ideals. Family life is so important for each and every child.
We should teach our kids to serve because if we don’t – noone else will!
sandysaveseveryday AT gmail DOT com
It makes them better people.
It teaches them to think of others and not only themselves
We have to teach our kids to serve because it’s what the Bible teaches us to do. It’s the “golden rule”.
monlor AT aol DOT com
Lori L.
Teaching children to serve will help them to become compassionate giving adults.
cincyangel5 at yahoo dot com
Everybody should give back to show their empathy for the less fortunate. This doesn’t have to be done monetarily; volunteering time can mean just as much.
Thanks for the giveaway…the ethic of reciprocity (i.e. the Golden Rule) is a good place to start; the Sermon on The Mount is a universal ethic we should teach our kids & strive to follow.
senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com
Bryan E.
Teaching children to serve makes them better persons. buddygarrett53@aol.com
We need to teach them to serve because life’s greatest joy comes through serving others. s2inamug at aim dot com
Because it is our responsibility to teach our children to become good and caring adults.
We need to lead by example. (roxann)