Every parent wants their child to be responsible, which means maintaining their belongings and adequately taking care of others and themselves. However, teaching responsibility to your children doesn’t happen in a blink of an eye; it takes time because kids learn gradually and slowly.
The steps below will help you get started.
- Habit Development: Children learn how to be a more responsible person in the same way they learn to talk and walk, i.e., step by step. It is essential to make it a point to begin teaching your kids about their obligation in life when they are growing, like from the age of three years. Kids are evolving at this age, and you can mold them easily. For kids in kindergarten, you can ask for their help while you are making the bed, asking them to put the empty dishes in the sink, etc. For school-goers, you can request them to make their own bed, plan their wardrobes, wipe their room, and so forth. Also, the kids should also learn some self-care. You can teach them by asking them to brush their teeth twice a day, washing their hands before and after having meals, turning off the AC of the room when not in use, and alike. Let your children give you a helping hand around the home, making them responsible too. Assign them work, which is easy for them to follow, and regularly ask them to stick to it.
- Teach by Example: Lead your children by example. So, instead of asking your babies to be more responsible, set a realistic example for them. This way, they learn quickly and can retain things for a longer time. As a parent, you know what perfect conduct your kids should display. Telling your children to be accountable is one thing and teaching them through your behavior is another, the latter one being more effective. As a mother/father, you are ideal for modeling what responsible behavior involves or what effective behavior looks like. If you are coming back home on time everywhere, you are setting an example of punctuality.
- Compliment when they show responsibility: Whenever your kid acts responsibly, make sure to praise her for her good behavior. It’s not enough to just notice your child’s behavior; you need to honor them too. All this helps to strengthen their behavior positively. For example, appreciate her by saying that she wonderfully made her bed, and so on. When kids hear generous compliments from their parents, they will be joyous and are more likely to repeat such behavior in the future.
- Be convincing and polite: Whenever you accuse your child of being irresponsible, you are covering up the real issue or problem with highly emotional language. During such exchanges, children get defensive, and fighting back is their only recourse, and they might use some harsh words and become rude as well. Thus it is always better to use language, which is relatively less emotionally charged to resolve the conflicts. It is always suited to concentrate on the specific irresponsible act rather than the general problem of “irresponsibility.” For example, “Homework needs to be completed. How are you planning to do that?” and so forth. You also need to ensure not to bring all the old times your children acted irresponsibly. Like adults, children also can’t take so much criticism. Could you not give them trauma while teaching? Give them a break, behave calmly and teach like an older friend.
- Guide them the way: It would be best if you show your children ways of being responsible. For example, if your girl wants some snacks, direct her where they are and ask her to help themselves. If your little one, after coming from play or school, throws away his clothes everywhere in their room, then put a hamper in the room and ask your child to put them there. Just make little princesses and princes feel grown-up and important, and they will do what you want them to do.
Now You Know
