Ever since my boys have been young, we take one Sunday a month to volunteer our time to a good cause. In the last 9 years, we've participated as a family in AIDS walks, food and clothing drives, car washes, answering phones, and more. At first my kids were resentful of the time away from play and their friends until I explained how important it is to take an active part in our community and give back. Last week, my eldest son brought tears to my eyes. We went out for dinner and, as usual, his eyes were bigger than his stomach and we left with a few take-away boxes. We passed a homeless man on our way to the car. My son asked the man if he was hungry and gave him the rest of his meal. I could not have been prouder of him in that moment.

If you teach children generosity and compassion at a young age, they will practice it all their lives.