Unfortunately, kids aren’t born knowing how to be responsible – they must be taught. Children who don't learn to be accountable for their actions grow up to become irresponsible adults and blame others for their shortcomings. Listed below are some things moms and dads can do to raise responsible kids.
Don’t Let Kids Back Out on Their Commitments
If your child agreed to spend her Saturday raking leaves for Mrs. Winters, she should not be allowed to change her mind just because her “best friend forever” invited her to the mall. Backing out of commitments may seem harmless at first, but as a child matures, this behavior can easily evolve and interfere with her ability to hold down a job or maintain valuable friendships.
Assign Daily Chores
Daily chores are a great way to teach kids how to be responsible for themselves and the things they own. Be mindful of a child’s age before assigning chores. Household responsibilities that are too difficult for a child to do can lower his self-esteem.
Young children can do things like pick up their toys, sort and load laundry, and recycle non-breakable items. Older kids can wash dishes, make up their beds, feed and water pets, vacuum the floor, and help with yard work.
Teach Kids How to Be Responsible with Money
Kids who aren't taught to be money savvy grow up to make bad financial decisions that can end in debt and poverty. Children should learn the basics of money management early in life. Start by buying your child a piggy bank and giving him an allowance. Encourage him to put 10 percent of every dollar he gets into his piggy bank to save, and teach him how to budget the rest.
Use Logical Consequences
“There are many times when a parent has a golden opportunity to allow the consequences of misbehavior to take effect; but due to their pity or their desire to 'protect' the child, they deprive him of the consequences and punish him in their own way with a scolding or a sermon,” notes Rudolph Dreikurs, M.D., in his book, Children: The Challenge [Plume, 1991].
There is no need to nag and punish children for everything they do – sometimes the consequences that follow their actions are enough to teach them to be more responsible for themselves and their things.
Model Responsible Behavior
Children learn from the behaviors and values of the parent. If a parent tells her child not to steal from others, and the child frequently witnesses mom pilfering shoes from her favorite department store, it sends conflicting messages. Don't just tell children how to behave responsibly, show them.
Teaching children how to be responsible early in life will enable them to function in society as reliable, trustworthy adults.
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