[Jane01]

I have two daughters aged 9 and 6 and by any measure their lives are very privileged. Loving parents, no financial stress, lovely home, posh suburb, posh school, overseas holidays, etc, etc. A few weeks ago my 9 year old asked me 'why does everyone in Australia have new cars'? It made me realise what a bubble they live in (Perth Western Suburbs), in that she thinks that everyone in Australia drives new cars. I dropped them at the school slipway this morning and realised that there was probably over $1m of cars just sitting in the slipway dropping off children to school (6 cars in the slipway at once). This isn't normal!

We previously lived overseas and I think she understands that some people are not as fortunate as us, but it seems she doesn't think this applies to Australians.

Taking them out of school and moving them to a lower-socio economic area is too extreme, but how do you educate children to realise how fortunate they are? To help those not as fortunate? The school is very good at service - raising money for various charities, etc. I think I also have some responsibility here, but I'm not sure where to start. I do volunteer work with a lower-socio economic school (not with the girls, it is during school hours) and we donate money to various charities. What else can a parent do at this age? I think they are too young for a soup kitchen.

[greenacre]

Sorry OP, maybe you talk abt material stuff too much?

Because we don't to DS. As a result he doesn't have a clue abt new car etc. He's aware abt poor people (he knows that we sponsor children through WV).

He too has a similar upbringing btw; comfortable life, nice suburb, have lived O/S, travel, new car etc etc.

[ally0812]

does your community have a toy run at xmas? donate to giving trees? maybe knitting blankets for dogs home ect is still too advanced for them.. my 4yr old knows we arent all rich but he learned it from me having no choice but to say no, and from being told ppl in the world dont have dinner tonight so you WILL eat yours ect, so he gets that there are ppl who have no food-shelter but he does.

[bakesgirls]

Have you tried talking to them about it? Explaining that not everyone in this country has had the opportunities they have had. Not everyone has money. Not all kids get presents at Xmas and so on? If you have never spoken of these things, and they have never seen it, how would they know?

[Jane01]

Not sure how old your DS is Kenji, but a 9 year old can tell the difference between a new and old car. I don't think we talk about material things at all. The question came out of the blue from her.

We do donate presents to the Kmart wishing tree. I will make some more time to speak to them about why.

[libbylu]

Donate toys at Christmas. Sponsor a child. And then when they are bit older (12+) do some voluntourism. I think that would be the best way to give perspective to a privileged teenager, and teach them a billion other important lessons in life as well. Good on you for thinking about it OP.

[mynoonmymidnight]

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This post has been edited by Willoughby Chase: 30/12/2012, 10:48 PM

[Tobias'smum]

Maybe ask them to go throught their toys grown out of clothes to donate to other little girls who dont have as much or at xmas time or other holidays make a caare package for other little girls. i think they may be a couple years too young for the soup kitchen but charities have family days for different holidays which might be a more suitable situation for them. i think also they will relate to someone who is like them - other young girls compared to say adults. .

[greenacre]

Mine is 7. I will get back to you abt this one when he's 9 hehe.

Take her to local library they have heaps of material abt impoverished countries etc you use it as a starting point. Start something small first.

[Mummy Em]

Sorry OP, maybe you talk abt material stuff too much?

Because we don't to DS. As a result he doesn't have a clue abt new car etc. He's aware abt poor people (he knows that we sponsor children through WV).

He too has a similar upbringing btw; comfortable life, nice suburb, have lived O/S, travel, new car etc etc.

I don't agree with that, I think not realising how privledged they are is far worse.

What about volunteering to do a bit of gardening for aged/disablilty pensioners. I know in WA there is an organisation that sends volunteers to help people maintain their gardens when they are not physically able to do it themselves.