The new year brings forth fresh opportunities to start a new hobby or project, and there’s no better way to enjoy “dad time” with your kids than doing something positive for the community. Not only will you and the youngsters be helping others, but everyone involved will benefit, as well. Research has indicated that many positive long-term influences result from learning to volunteer at any age, and the practice appears to have additional benefits for youth.

Kenny Leigh and Associates is a family law firm with offices throughout North and South Florida that represents men only. Kenny Leigh and Associates has offices in Jacksonville, Fleming Island, Daytona, Gainesville, Fort Walton Beach, and Boca Raton.

Benefits of Volunteering with Children

• Enhances Development: Volunteering can benefit children’s psychological, social, and intellectual development while also increasing their self-esteem and sense of social responsibility and ethics.

• Quality Time: Obtaining and/or maintaining child custody for fathers in Fleming Island or elsewhere is tricky enough, and by spending more quality time with your kids in a positive environment, you’re showing what a great parent you are.

• Learning for Everyone: Families often learn how to communicate and solve problems together while involved in volunteer activities. Rather than focusing on each other, families focus on others and enjoy the opportunity to see things from a different perspective. Many youngsters discover career interests while volunteering.

Of course, the most meaningful benefits belong to you as a dad as you get to enjoy more quality time with your kids. Furthermore, volunteering with your child now indicates that, as a father, you plan to be a positive role model after divorce, too. Such indications of integrity now can play a role in how visitation is scheduled and has even helped sway cases pertaining to child custody for fathers in Fleming Island and throughout Florida.

Choosing Where to Volunteer with Your Kids

Make a real difference within your own community and get involved with some type of local cause or charity. Whether you are a stay-at-home dad or work full time, be sure to keep scheduling in mind. Decide if you want to perform a one-time project like collecting books for a hospital or if you all want to make a regular commitment to your volunteer efforts weekly or monthly.

Depending on your children’s ages and interests, you’ll want to select the volunteer opportunity that will allow everyone to get involved in some aspect from tots to teens. First, discover what opportunities interest your family and what’s available nearby. The Internet is the fastest way to peruse local options, and most organizations’ websites will guide you to the right volunteer opportunity by availability, age, interests, and the like. Your local Chamber of Commerce and any non-profit organizations are also great places to start the search.

Volunteer Opportunities for Children and Families

If you are in the position of long distance parenting or involved in your own battle of child custody for fathers, remember that you can find places to volunteer for a single day, so even weekend visits create opportunities to volunteer. These are some recommended volunteer activities that show kids that they’re never too young to make a real difference!

Help a Food Pantry: Go door-to-door to friendly neighbors you know to request a canned or dry good donation to help fight hunger locally for a spontaneous effort. Make a long-term effort by letting your youngster choose an item to donate each time you’re at the grocery, or coordinate with their teacher to help them start a food drive at school or the church for a larger effort. Donate the goods to a local food pantry or soup kitchen.

Create Activity Boxes: Go to the local dollar store or hit the clearance aisle to find puzzles, books, activities, and other goodies to put into a hand-decorated box to deliver to kids at a local shelter or hospital. The same concept can be customized to suit any interest or age group.

Make New Wise Friends: Many nursing homes welcome volunteers to spend time with residents, many of whom lack families nearby of their own. Make a new, wise friend and brighten their day.

Meals on Wheels: Local organizations that cater to disabled and elderly meal deliveries always need volunteers, and the kids can ride along and help deliver the hot food to friendly faces. This opportunity is great for teens who are recently licensed and looking for any time to get behind the wheel.

Local Libraries: Always in need of volunteers to shelve books, read stories, and assist busy librarians, the local library is a great place to get involved with at any level.

Show them you care, about not only them, but also others. These efforts are important to creating that connection to your kids, but can also be valuable if you’re in a case pertaining to child custody for fathers in Fleming Island and elsewhere.

Kenny Leigh and Associates is a family law firm with offices throughout North and South Florida that represents men only. Kenny Leigh and Associates has offices in Jacksonville, Fleming Island, Daytona, Gainesville, Fort Walton Beach, and Boca Raton.