Jessica Alba: We’re Working on Keeping Honor ‘Humble’

Matt Sayles/AP

Jessica Alba is all about giving back — and she’s determined to pass the goodwill on to her daughters, too.

Supporting the idea that it should all start at an early age, the actress is already teaching her 3½-year-old daughter Honor Marie the importance of helping others.

“We’re starting to talk to her about it,” Alba, 30, told PEOPLE during the March of Dimes Celebration of Babies luncheon Dec. 2 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

“Keeping her humble and not trying to over spoil her and letting her understand that there are people that don’t have what she has.”

And it’s a lesson Alba and husband Cash Warren are ready to put to the test with a sweep of Honor’s closets.

“We’re going to do a clean out of things that she doesn’t need anymore and can give to a child who doesn’t have that,” she explains. “There are ways you can introduce it, for sure.”

Honor is also learning how to help out with her little sister Haven Garner, 4 months. “She helps me change her, she loves that. She helps me feed her,” Alba shares. “When she’s fussy she entertains her. She really is a great help.”

So what parenting tips would Alba give to other famous moms-to-be like pal Jessica Simpson?

“I’m friends with her so I’m going to talk to her about that personally,” she laughs.

– Michelle Ward

Comments

Heather Lynn on December 15th, 2011

I think that teaching children to give back is so important. Good for Jessica and Cash for realizing that and instilling it in their daughters. Love this family!

Sara on December 16th, 2011

How about recycling the clothes for Haven?! Or will their worth be forgotten and a new wardrobe be bought for the smaller child? A gallant effort, especially by a celeb, but maybe worth a rethink!

Lissette on December 16th, 2011

I think she found her third daughter’s name. Humble. Hahaha

Anonymous on December 16th, 2011

Sara- Since donating Honor’s clothes probably wouldn’t have much of an impact or teach her much of anything at her age (what three-year-old cares whether or not last summer’s clothes are saved?!), I’m guessing Jessica was talking about her toys, not her clothes. They may very well hand the clothes down to Haven later.

Shea on December 17th, 2011

I have very rarely had my girls wear their older siblings hand-me-downs.
To me that is telling the younger child that she isn’t as worthy as the older one. I want my younger ones to feel special in their own right. Even if it means trading the older ones clothing in for “new” stuff at a nice consignment shop. It’s something new to them not something they saw their sister wearing…

Rebecca on December 18th, 2011

cause a three year old is able to understand that others do not have what she has!! Give me a break!!

Shea, that is what is wrong with the current generation…it is expecting everything to be “new” all the time, whether it comes from a consignment shop or not, it is all about give me give me give me…I am a teacher and have to deal with the generation of entitlement…it is going to be a disaster when they hit the workforce and no one is treating them special anymore I can tell you that much, and they won’t know how to deal with it because they have been too helicopter parented all through their childhood!

LUCY on December 19th, 2011

Rebecca, I like the helicopter parent reference. We hear that alot in my education courses… and have courses specially designed for dealing with parents. which is a tad nutso.

Marina on December 20th, 2011

That’s right, people. Let’s tell parents how they should raise their children.

stacey mc on December 20th, 2011

Well, with a name like Honor, one would have to work extra hard to keep their child humble!

Marky on December 21st, 2011

As a grandparent to children Honor’s age, I have to agree with Rebecca that it is a little distressing to see how hard it is to keep children from believing they are entitled to whatever they want and plenty of it.

I’m always impressed to see how my DIL makes sure their children have the opportunity to give to the community in several ways throughout the year. Their schools emphasize bringing food regularly for the local Food Bank, there are toy drives, coat drives, and service opportunities also. I head a NPO, so there are things they can do through that organization, as well.

We have to stop making these children feel as if it is all about them, every second. When children don’t think of anyone except themselves, it turns them into selfish, greedy adults who have their hand out every second.

Good for Jessica and Cash for deciding to help their daughter realize she isn’t the only person in the world who counts!