• About
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Me
  • How We Came to Islam

Middle Way Mom

Walking the middle way: Islam, homeschooling, parenting

  • Podcast
  • Homeschool
    • Organization
    • Intro to Homeschooling
    • Nature Study
    • Parent Support
    • Islamic Studies
    • Charlotte Mason
    • PreK-2
      • Phonics
      • Lapbooks
      • Resources
    • Middle and High School
      • Homeschooling High School
        • How I Teach 9th Grade
      • Online Learning
      • Resources
      • Credit by Exam
    • Field Trips
  • Our Curriculum Lists
  • Islam
  • Natural Living
  • Mothering
    • Parenting
      • Youngin’s
      • Teens
  • FREE Printables
    • Preschool
    • Middle/High School
  • Homeschool Q&A
Middle Way Mom uses affiliate links in posts and sidebar ads. Please refer to my Disclosure Policy for more information.
You are here: Home / Homeschool / 5 Reasons Teens Should Volunteer

5 Reasons Teens Should Volunteer

By Shannen Espelien 1 Comment

Our culture puts a lot of emphasis on work-readiness, so I’m quite surprised there isn’t more emphasis on teens getting a volunteer job. In fact, when I was looking for volunteer opportunities for Care Bear, I had a hard time finding anything when searching on Google. I’ve since come across fliers at the library (gotta love the library!) for volunteer jobs and training camps, and Care Bear now has her first volunteer job at the library helping kids participate in the summer reading program!

So, why should a teen get a volunteer job?

5 Reasons Teens Should VolunteerLearn the value of work, without the paycheck

Money can muddle the true value of things, including the value of a hard day’s work. Teens can learn what it feels like to know they brought benefit somewhere, without the paycheck coloring their excitement. We should be proud of doing a job well done for its sake alone. On a side note, I think this can also go for chores at home. I believe that some chores should go unpaid as an expectation within the home that everyone cooperates to keep the home running smoothly. We pay Care Bear for chores that are much harder, and out of the ordinary, but otherwise it’s expected that she will complete chores on a regular basis.

Find interests

How many people go into college not sure of what they want to do? Volunteering can help teens hone their interests and talents, and also help them learn what areas they don’t like. Some jobs might seem like a good fit until they actually perform the work, and they find it is not a good fit. For instance, Care Bear wanted to be a game designer for a while, but knowing her, I didn’t think she’d actually like the day to day work. Volunteering or job shadowing can bring some things to light.

Break up the summer

Summer break tends to get long without activities to keep kids busy. Camps and events are a great way to spend summer, but instilling some responsible time can prove beneficial. As our kids get older, we all worry about them falling into trouble (or jumping right in!). Many times boredom can lead to experimenting, and not always things that are good.

Practice appreciation

Too often we look at those who have more than us, wishing we had something better. We are told in a hadith:

Sahih Muslim : Book 42 “Kitab Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa’iq”, Number 7068

Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said:
“When one of you looks at one who stands at a higher level than you in regard to wealth and physical structure he should also see one who stands at a lower level than you in regard to these things (in which he stands) at a hi-her level (as compared to him).”

We shouldn’t be looking down on those who have less than us, but rather appreciating our comforts and situation. If you are able to read this online, then there are definitely people in more dire situations, and you should appreciate the gifts Allah has given to you.

Set a good example for younger siblings

So often, younger siblings look up to their older siblings as role models. Just like we should be teaching by example as adults, a teen child can teach by example also. In sha Allah it is a positive example! Volunteering is a real job, whether there’s a paycheck or not. When a young child sees their older sibling taking part in such activities, it can encourage the child to live up to their teen sibling.

Care Bear is volunteering at the library, and is interested in volunteering at a nursing home, along with a historical village. Where do your kids volunteer?

You might also be interested in:

No related posts.

Filed Under: Homeschool Tagged With: high school, teen, volunteering

Trackbacks

  1. Find Volunteer Opportunities | Middle Way Mom says:
    July 18, 2013 at 7:55 am

    […] I mentioned in my previous post about the reasons why teens should volunteer, I think it’s an incredibly valuable life lesson to put forth work for a greater cause for no […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.





Emails by Mad Mimi

Right Now What I’m Reading

Contributing Writer/Member of:

Real Life at Home iHomeschool Network
Muslimas' Oasis

Recent Posts

  • Charlotte Mason Curriculum 1st and 3rd Grade
  • Teaching Textbooks – Homeschool Math Made Easy
  • The Year We Almost Quit (Again)
  • Sisterhood and other things
  • Teach Teens Life Skills Online!

Find Me Across the Web!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Copyright Middle Way Mom© 2023 · Lifestyle Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in