Every parent wants their child to be responsible when they get older, and you also think that other children should also be raised in the same way. So how do you raise your child in a way that allows them to understand the importance of being responsible? Here are some tips that you can use to help you teach your children to be the responsible adult they need to be.
Teach them to Clean Up Their Mess
Although you might think that most children are taught to clean up their own mess, this isn’tnecessarily the case. Some parents might think that by doing it for them, that it gets done quicker and with a lot less hassle. However, in the long run, what happens is they learn to get other people to do it for them rather than taking responsibility themselves. To avoid this, you need to teach your children the values of cleaning up themselves from an early age. Start by helping them, as this will teach them how to do it and also, it’ll get it done quicker. Try to make sure that you make this a positive and fun experience, so they don’t see it as a chore. As they get older, you can make it part of their daily routine such as clearing up their toys,clearing up their plates, and ensuring that they put their dirty clothes in the hamper.
Help them to Contribute
Children like helping around the house in many ways, but this might not be obvious to you at the time. That is why it’s important that you try to notice the things they do and comment on them positively when you see it. For example, if you see them helping their little brother,even if it isn’t particularly effective, it is still a good idea to praise them for trying. This will enforce the behavior in them and make them want to do it more. As they grow older, your children will probably start to do more in the home and outside, such as the chores or helping out with other siblings. Research indicates the kids who help around the house are also more likely to offer help in other situations than kids that just practice their own self-care.
Make Chore Part of the Routine
It’s important that you make sure children think of chores as something that’s helping the family rather than simple drudgery. For that reason, you shouldn’t make your children do chores without you until they consider it part of their regular family routine. The goal isn’t simply about getting the jobs done; it’s all about trying to shape your child to be a responsible human being. Make the job fun and give them structure and support as much as you can. Even if they ask you for help the first 10 or 20 times, you need to give it to them, so they understand you are there to help them. You can tell them that these jobs might not be fun, but they do have a part to play within the family life.
Let Children Help
Toddlers, in particular, are always eager to help though that help might not always be as effective as it could be. Because of this, you might be tempted to simply say that you will do it yourself and to get them playing with other things. However, this eagerness to help is a good thing and should be encouraged as much as possible. Another important part of thisprocess is to allow them to help in their own way and then praise them for doing a good job. This will encourage them and make them feel good about what they have done. It would also lead them to help again the next time when you can continue to hone their skills.
Teach them the Value of Things
In this world of gadgets, many children now think that these high-tech products are easily available, especially as almost everyone seems to have one. However, it’s important that you teach him that these things are not free and that you need to work hard for them. To help achieve this, you need to instill in them that apart from holidays and birthdays, toys and gadgets have to be earned. If there’s something they really want, for example, then maybe they can do something for neighbors or friends and family earn money towards it. As they grow older, you can start to teach them about the value of money. You can also teach themabout how to save responsibly, and about the most appropriate steps to take should they require a financial loan, for example, and the responsibility of repaying them. You can learn more about this and other types of loans online and encourage them to do the same.
Help Them Learn About Other People’s Feelings
One thing that can set them in good stead for the rest of their life is how to interpret and deal with other people’s feelings. For example, if they hurt their smaller sibling it is important they understand the consequences of their actions. That doesn’t mean that you should yell at them or force him to apologize as they probably won’t mean it. Instead, you need to ask them how their feeling and what caused them to lash out. You can then start to focus on the sibling’s feelings and what they might be able to do to make it better. They may volunteer a solution such as giving them a hug or apologizing to them. Either way, you have instilled in them and need to understand people’s feelings and the consequences of hurting them.
Raising a child to be a responsible adult is more than just teaching them right from wrong. It is also about teaching them the responsibility they have to themselves and their families. If you can teach them these things, they will go on to be kind and caring individuals.
Brought to you by our friend, Carol.