Tips for Parents: Responsibility
What is responsibility?
According to Webster’s dictionary, being responsible “implies holding a special duty or trust.” Someone who is responsible is dependable, trustworthy, and accountable. Having responsible children means teaching them so that they become competent and confident to know what’s right and then to do what is right.
Are responsible children born?
Absolutely not. Children develop a sense of responsibility through a variety of parent provided experiences. It’s only human that as adults we try to please others. The “pleasing others” behavior pattern actually begins early in
life. Parents can start teaching responsibility by letting their children know that responsible behavior pleases them.
Imitating the Behavior of Parents
Children learn by watching others. If children see adults acting in a certain way, they think the behavior is normal and often behave in the same way. Children, for example, who grow up watching adults take advantage of other
people are likely to imitate the same behavior. A child who grows up watching parents who respect the law is likely to become a person who also respects the law.
How Parents Can Teach Responsibility:
Send The Right Messages
We send messages about responsibility every day. Here are some tips on the kinds of messages to send:
http://www.thelearningcommunity.us/resources-by-format/tips-for-parents/responsibility.aspx
According to Webster’s dictionary, being responsible “implies holding a special duty or trust.” Someone who is responsible is dependable, trustworthy, and accountable. Having responsible children means teaching them so that they become competent and confident to know what’s right and then to do what is right.
Are responsible children born?
Absolutely not. Children develop a sense of responsibility through a variety of parent provided experiences. It’s only human that as adults we try to please others. The “pleasing others” behavior pattern actually begins early in
life. Parents can start teaching responsibility by letting their children know that responsible behavior pleases them.
Imitating the Behavior of Parents
Children learn by watching others. If children see adults acting in a certain way, they think the behavior is normal and often behave in the same way. Children, for example, who grow up watching adults take advantage of other
people are likely to imitate the same behavior. A child who grows up watching parents who respect the law is likely to become a person who also respects the law.
How Parents Can Teach Responsibility:
- Help your children learn to do things for themselves. When children have a feeling of independence, they have more confidence to try new things and expand their capabilities.
- Allow your children to take care of themselves as much as possible. Let them choose which clothes to wear each morning, when to do their homework (within reason), and make other basic decisions about their own lives.
- Teach your children to respect others. The best way to teach respect for others is by example. If you respect other people, regardless of who they are or where they come from, your children will follow in your footsteps.
Send The Right Messages
We send messages about responsibility every day. Here are some tips on the kinds of messages to send:
- Praise efforts to become responsible. This is the most important thing you can do. It focuses your child’s attention on the right issues.
- Praise improvement. This emphasizes that your child is on the right track, providing motivation for responsible behavior in the future.
- Don’t help too much. If you give your children too much help, they can’t take credit for what goes right. They may begin to believe that you don’t think they can be responsible.
http://www.thelearningcommunity.us/resources-by-format/tips-for-parents/responsibility.aspx