5 reasons to use GenKind for your next kid’s party
Not sure about GenKind? Worried that it’s a bit mean to make your kids sacrifice birthday presents? Don’t want to be the first/only one to challenge the status quo? We hear you.
Here’s five great reasons to give it go.
1. You are not stealing joy - you are creating it!
A lot of what holds people back from trying GenKind is that they feel like their kids still really want presents for their birthday. And this is totally true. Kids love gifts. And GenKind is not about making them sacrifice all their special birthday treats. They should still receive presents and indulge in surprises and do all the fun stuff that make birthdays amazing.
What GenKind wants to encourage kids to do is exchange the specific bundle of birthday presents that they receive from party guests, for a meaningful donation to a cause they care about. If we’re being honest, birthday party gifts aren’t usually the best ones. They are usually torn open quickly, and more often than not, forgotten about quickly (or put in the cupboard to be regifted at a later date. We’ve all been there).
Imagine a world in which a group of friends are instead empowered to do something meaningful and impactful. Where they learn about an animal or a community or a country that needs our help - and that they can actually help. That is joy right there.
That feeling that being small doesn’t mean being powerless.
2. We underestimate our kids
This one follows on from the first point. Yes kids like stuff, but they are also part of a new generation. A generation that watches David Attenborough, that is inspired by Greta Thunberg, who borrow books about global warming from the library. We don’t want to frighten them with this stuff, or make them feel guilty or responsible, but at the same time we can’t totally protect them from it. Perhaps the best thing to do is to empower them. Empower them to learn, to contribute, and to be the kind of people who feel like they have made a difference.
Kids are absolutely magic. They have a sense of self-belief and determination that most adults have lost along their way. They are energised by a challenge and so proud of their achievements. They don’t need to be convinced that this is a good idea - they just need to see the kind of impact they can make, and feel the joy of having done it with their friends.
3. It will teach our kids to be generous and kind
The presents that kids receive from friends can be overwhelming in volume. We have all witnessed the flurry of excitement as they tear the wrappings from gifts, lost in a hit of serotonin. Often gifts are disregarded quickly as they search for the next one, and we have all been the parent desperately trying to keep track of who brought which gift. Nobody wants to have ‘spoilt’ child, a child who expects gifts, and who believes that gifts are what a party is all about. Shouldn’t the expectation be that a party is about creating memories? Having fun with friends? Celebrating through laughter and games and silliness?
By taking gifts out of the equation not only do you get back to these core values but you also teach your child a valuable lesson in generousity and kindness. You empower them to make a ‘sacrifice’ for something bigger themselves. And as mentioned, this is not about total sacrifice - it doesn’t mean zero gifts. It means exchanging some gifts for a different type of reward. A shared experience, a shared achievement, and a moment of pride.
Raising a generation of thoughtful and brave young people, who put kindness before stuff, will be our greatest achievement.
4.You’ll reduce your plastic waste
Nearly 80% of all toys end up in landfills, incinerators or the ocean and account for almost 6% of landfill plastics. That’s huge, and almost all of us parents have contributed to that. It’s not sustainable to continue to buy toys and gifts in the same way that we used to. And again, this isn’t about punishing the next generation of kids, or making it their problem, but it is about instilling in them a sense or responsibility, and also power to affect change.
For more ideas on how to reduce your plastic consumption around kids’ parties check out our blog
5. It helps out fellow mums/dads
Birthday party gifting can be a little thoughtless. Not because people don’t care, but simply because frazzled parents don’t always know a lot about every kid in the class. They may also not have a lot of time to plan a thoughtful gift in advance. I know that I have been the mum that forgets about the upcoming party and dashes out on the morning of the celebration - cornered into buying something generic. I have also been the mum who has regifted a thoughtless present that we have received, in an attempt to reduce even more waste.
None of these actions are ever taken on purpose. More often than not they are the result of the pressures of societal convention - and shame of turning up to a party empty-handed. But there is no joy in these presents for the giver or for the child receiving them, only stress, expectation, guilt and disappointment. Wow, sorry to be the bearer of bad news!
GenKind makes all that go away. No stressful dash to the toy store and spending money on rubbish. Only that warm, fuzzy feeling of doing good, and doing it with your friends. Let’s challenge the status quo!
