{"id":301,"date":"2015-05-20T00:03:01","date_gmt":"2015-05-20T06:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.mops.org\/2015\/05\/20\/one-moms-approach-to-panhandling\/"},"modified":"2015-05-20T00:03:01","modified_gmt":"2015-05-20T06:03:01","slug":"one-moms-approach-to-panhandling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themom.co\/fr\/one-moms-approach-to-panhandling\/","title":{"rendered":"One Mom\u2019s Approach to Panhandling"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cWhat does that sign say?\u201d A question I often hear from the backseat as we\u2019re stopped at an intersection. I\u2019m aware of the person standing on the corner asking for money, and I know my passengers\u2019 questions are inevitable. I read the sign aloud, and then the more difficult questions are shot my way, those that center around the \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/i> And the why can be complicated.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything helps.\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cRent needs to be made.\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cChildren to feed.\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n

Once we have readers in the car the questions get more direct, \u201cMom, why aren\u2019t you giving her anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

Because of my husband\u2019s work, providing long-term, permanent housing to those coming off the streets, the concept of homelessness is not new to our children. Nor are the actual people, because every cause centers on real, living, laughing, grieving people. My girls have regular interactions with friends in the brave process of rebuilding their lives. Just in our house we call these interfaces \u201cgoing to Daddy\u2019s office.\u201d<\/p>\n

And because of my husband\u2019s work, we are often asked by other parents how to handle the panhandling situation with kids. By loving people who have their needs met: food, shelter, safety. And who want to model to their children charity and caring for the poor. In many of our families, it is a top value, one we want to pass to our children.<\/p>\n

In fact, for Derek and I seeing those that others look beyond is everything about our faith and our life we want to convey to our kids. People matter.<\/i> They matter to us and they matter to God. People who are cast aside by the world are especially close to God\u2019s heart. We believe that with every fiber of who we are.<\/p>\n

And yet as a general rule I don\u2019t give money to panhandlers. Why? Because I believe regardless of how a person spends the money you give them, it is helping maintain a lifestyle on the streets. That may seem harsh, but as a family we have a plan, a way we support the heroes of our everyday lives, those working on sobriety, honesty and healthy relationships, despite what the past has brought, through how and where we give.<\/p>\n

Am I saying giving someone a dollar or two is always a bad thing? No. There are a whole host of responses to the homeless person asking for money. The key as a parent is having a plan ahead of time about your response, so when those questions come from the backseat, you are comfortable with your family\u2019s thoughtful approach.<\/p>\n

Questions to consider when making your plan:<\/h3>\n