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Most of us when asked what we want our children to become,
we include "responsible" among other things such as happy,
fulfilled and caring. We want our children to learn to make wise
choices, be responsible for their actions and live responsibly.
Do we teach children to become responsible by simply giving them
chores to do? That's part of it for sure but only part of it.
What about learning to be responsible for their actions? What
kind of messages do we give out that either encourage or
discourage a child to become responsible? How are we at
taking responsibility for our actions?
Expecting children to participate in the running of the
household can begin as soon as they learn to walk. It simply
makes a statement that they are a valued member of the household
and are capable of making a contribution. We can start by
providing hooks at their level so they can hang up their coats,
by providing large plastic bins so toys can be easily accessed
and put away, and by providing plastic dinnerware so they can
clear their own dishes away. The older children become,
responsibilities can be added according to what you're
comfortable with and what is appropriate for their age. If we
get into the habit of always doing things for them that they
can do for themselves, we give them the message that they're
not capable.
When we discipline through natural and logical consequences
we teach children to become responsible for their behavior.
Physical punishment, nagging and lecturing seldom works in
teaching a child to act responsibly. They instead learn to
fear us and the result is a parent/child relationship that is
not based around mutual trust and respect. Our job as parents
is to help make children accountable for their behavior.
Offering choices provides many opportunities for children to
learn responsibility. Life is all about choices and we can
begin offering a choice of 2 or 3 things to toddlers. They
learn to live with the consequences of their choices and it
says to them that they are capable of making a choice which
in turn encourages mutual respect and a healthy sense of
self-worth.
How often do we as parents take on the problems of our children
when in fact it's they who own the problem? We become overly
anxious around homework not completed, an argument with a
friend, or any number of things that truly have nothing to do
with us. When we allow our children to take ownership of their
own problems and learn to detach ourselves, we teach them to
become responsible for their actions. We also give them the
message that we know they are capable of handling the problem.
We can instead offer guidance with questions such as: “What
would you differently next time?” “What do you think will
happen if you don’t finish this?” We can still guide and
support without fixing.
How are we at assuming responsibility for our own actions? Are
we quick to blame others for things that go wrong or do we take
ownership for our part in a problem? If we constantly blame
others for things that go wrong in our lives, we teach our
children to become victims. They don't learn that the only
person that can fully take charge of what happens to us, is
ourselves. People who live responsibly take action to change
rather than react and blame others.
Recommended reading: "Raising a Responsible Child" by Dr. Don
Dinkmeyer and Dr. Gary McKay.
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