Customer Reviews

Raising Charitable Children

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found this book so funny, so frank and so refreshing. Lots of great, practical ideas, not just about what to do in terms of charity and volunteering but about why and how to do it and how to involve your kids in meaningful ways. The author doesn't suggest you have to go about this charity thing HER way; instead, she helps you discover YOUR way. I liked that.
There was a lot competing with Carol Weisman's book for my attention when I bought it -- several books already on the nightstand -- but once I picked up RAISING CHARITABLE CHILDREN, I couldn't put it down (an easy, meaty read)... and my youngest is almost 20 years old, so it's not like I'm doing a lot of hands-on parenting anymore.
I started reading with a bit of a chip on my shoulder -- I felt I had done a lot of things "right" in raising my own charitable child and wondered if the author would disagree. As I read, I felt both validated but also motivated to take some additional steps, even at this late stage in my parenting.
Already, this book has changed the way my family celebrates birthdays, thanks to the "Grandma's Birthday Gift" chapter, and it will change the way we support our favorite causes from here on out. Look out, future grandkids!
I'm sending copies to everyone I know who has a baby. Beyond that, I believe every teacher, every pastor, every coach, every CEO should apply the lessons from this book -- its wisdom is so adaptable. In a mere 125 pages, Carol Weisman captures the most important keys to making our world kinder, more civilized and a heck of a lot more fun.

Carol Weisman's book is genius. It's fun and quick to read and you are left feeling you now have a more positive direction in which to live out the rest of your life. The 'resources' list at the end of the book is great. Even if your children are teenagers or already grown this book is a spiritual boost. There are no 'do-overs', but our culture can use more enlightened individuals of any age and stage in life- which is what you'll be after you have quickly absorbed what she has to teach you. I have had the great good fortune of hearing Carol Weisman speak. She is as genuine and wise in the flesh as she is on the page. You want to incorporate her sage and practical advice into your life. I have also met her sons. They are as she portrays them.........responsible, generous, funny, loving, kind, happy, thoughtful and philanthropic.

If you have not yourself been involved in reaching out to others through volunteering and giving financially but want to encourage your children in these areas, Weisman's book would be a good idea starter. Her information is sound, her intentions are good, and the very brief text is clear and well-supplied with some thoughts on where to begin.

Beyond these high and noble intentions, however, there isn't a lot here, and I would highly recommend checking the book out of the library rather than buying it. Then give the $15 you'll save to a worthwhile cause. Better yet, involve your children in finding out how what that $15 will buy when given to a favorite charity.

While this book is a good beginning resource for ideas to help children be generous, I was disappointed by how short the book is (I read the whole thing in 30 minutes) and it's lack of significantly new thoughts on the topic. It is written from a purely philanthropic perspective, so don't expect to find any religious traditions/reasons for promoting generosity in the next generation. In fact, it is this lack of an overall reason for why we need to raise our children to be charitable that left me feeling unfulfilled by this book's message. Without a framework (or dare I say "moral code") at the base, the examples cited feel isolated and empty ... a message of "do anything" rather than "do what's important".

That said, it has some good ideas to get kids started and I certainly don't disagree with the methods for encouraging generous acts.

I wanted to let you know that I enjoyed reading your book, "Raising Charitable Children". The reading is easy and the examples of using your family gives it the right touch. I am sending a copy to each daughter. I know they will enjoy the book as well. I have told them about the book and
they are very anxious to read it. It is inspiring and so easy to use your suggestions. For those of us in the non profit world, your book will help us considerably. Thanks for writing so creatively and inspiring our young adults!

This is a how-to book from Weisman, with examples and parables almost everyone can relate to and implement. Whether your children are small or grown, or you don't have children, the ideas in this book for giving back a little of yourself to the world and feeling good about it abound. While we all hope that our children can follow our example of giving back in goods and/or services, this book can be a welcome and quick refresher course for what to do this summer or next year. By involving others, such as children or other family members, lasting memories and real impacts can be made, large or small on the world, whether it is helping raise funds or awareness for a local community cause or providing assistance half a world away. Weisman writes in a simple and humorous style that allows one's own imagination to start working, and provokes one to explore web-based opportunities that can result in meaningful family time. Sometimes it's easy to just send a check, but many of her ideas involve lasting impressions that can be created for your children or grandchildren. In the end, she gives ample examples of how individuals, one at a time, can make a difference. Many of her examples provide at least as many rewards for the giver as they do for the recipient. In the end, that's what makes it all work and a memorable read. After finishing, I went to her website, which is, like the book, refreshingly simple, funny, and leaves a lasting impression.