Cultivating a Generous Spirit
By Kelly Patten
As the holidays approach, I usually find myself going through the list of possible gifts for our family. Is it time for a bike for my three-year-old? Does my husband need another wallet? (No, he definitely does not.) And what to get the almost one-year-old whose birthday falls two weeks before Christmas? Does she actually need a Pikler triangle, or is it just the internet that has convinced me of this?
I love gift giving and shopping for presents, so it’s easy to get caught up in the consumerist chaos of the holidays. We aren’t a religious family, but I still like to remember there’s a reason for the season. I want to instill in my daughters a sense of generosity that goes beyond this season of giving and extends to all aspects of their lives.
Living in Sukhumvit, we find ourselves surrounded with fancy shopping malls, luxury spas, and trendy restaurants. It can be very easy to forget that most of Thailand doesn’t live in the same reality as us expats. According to the World Bank, Thailand has the highest level of income-based inequality in the East Asia/Pacific region. In fact the wealth disparity is so stark that in 2021, over half of the country’s wealth was held by less than 10% of the population (1).
To add to that, the minimum daily wage is approximately ฿360. It’s a sharp contrast to our expat bubble, where you wouldn’t think twice about spending that on a sourdough sandwich, decadent smoothie bowl, or imported craft beer. So how can your family strike a balance and encourage kindness and generosity in the country we call home?
We can instill generosity in our children by modeling it in our own daily practices. With young children, the first step towards generosity is sharing. Easier said than done as we all know, but practicing sharing toys or food lays the groundwork for developing a generous spirit. Introduce the concept of abundance. “Wow we have so many toys they don’t fit on the shelf anymore! Should we pick out a few to share with kids who need toys?” And remember that generosity doesn’t have to involve material objects. You can also be generous with your time or your spirit. Sharing a hug when your little sister is sad or helping clean up toys when you have a few extra minutes are easy ways for kids to begin exploring generosity.
The next time you’re having a clean out, involve the kids and consider donating rather than reselling. I love the expat sales board as much as the next mom, and I’ve scored some amazing purchases—if you’re reading this: a huge shout-out to the woman who sold us the comfy rocking chair! However, I’m sure I’m not alone in raising my eyebrows at some of the posts. Will the ฿100 sale change your life? Probably not. Could it help a family in need? It quite possibly could!
Consider donating items in good condition to Home of Grace, Second Chance Bangkok, or Bangkok Community Help Foundation. Another easy way to pass on gently used items is through domestic helpers. Our nanny happily takes bags of clothing or linens to her church to support families in Myanmar.
And while December is the season for giving, generosity is a mindset that we can cultivate all year long. Taking small steps now as a family to model and promote a kind and generous spirit sets children up for a lifetime of giving and helping others.
References
- World Bank Group (2023) Bridging the gap: inequality and jobs in Thailand. worldbank.org/en/country/thailand/publication/bridging-the-gap-inequality-and-jobs-in-thailand
About the Author
Kelly is mom to Freya and Daisy and recently went back to work as an early years teacher. She previously worked as a primary educator and literacy specialist. Kelly loves reading fiction books, listening to true crime podcasts, and watching Disney princess movies.