One of the most challenging things a parent faces is whether they're teaching their children responsibility. You can love your child to the end of the word and back, but if you don't teach them how to be responsible, your child will grow up to be... well, not responsible.
So how do you help your kids grow into mature and responsible adults? Try these tips to ensure your kids grow into the adults you will be proud of.
Tip #1
Make them do chores.
While this may seem like such a little thing, it's a HUGE thing for a child. Doing chores teaches them a lot of things. It teaches them to pitch in, and to "earn their own keep". Things aren't always handed to us, and everyone working together and doing their part helps to keep a household running smoothly. It also teaches them how to clean their own house when they finally reach adulthood.
Your child may argue with you, or may do the chores so badly that you want to dismiss them from doing them, but do NOT do this. Make your child do the chore over until it's right. Teach them how to do it right, and explain to them that everyone must do their part. In the long run, it will be worth it. You'll have a clean house, and your child will have gained valuable life lessons.
Tip #2
Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries, such as curfews, or rules (no eating after dinner, get homework done before they can play, etc) will help your child learn to follow rules. You set rules for them to follow because following rules provides order. If a child disobeys one of these rules, you must follow through with a disciplinary action (taking away TV, making them do an extra chore). In life, adults have to follow rules as well. Going to work on time, for example. Setting boundaries and sticking to them is an important key to raising responsible children.
Tip #3
Give them freedom
Kind of seems like an oxymoron, doesn't it? Giving them freedom allows your child to make the right choices. It tests them every time. Take the curfew for example. Your child has to make a choice every time they have a curfew. If they make the right choice, they'll be home on time. If they don't, that's when you have to enforce the disciplinary action. Whether it's to take the freedom away, or whatever you chose, it teaches your child that making the right choice brings rewards, while making the wrong choice brings yet another learning experience.
Raising your kids to be responsible is a learning curve for parents too. As long as you remember to do the best you can, and to teach your children to do the best they can, the rest will come.
So how do you help your kids grow into mature and responsible adults? Try these tips to ensure your kids grow into the adults you will be proud of.
Tip #1
Make them do chores.
While this may seem like such a little thing, it's a HUGE thing for a child. Doing chores teaches them a lot of things. It teaches them to pitch in, and to "earn their own keep". Things aren't always handed to us, and everyone working together and doing their part helps to keep a household running smoothly. It also teaches them how to clean their own house when they finally reach adulthood.
Your child may argue with you, or may do the chores so badly that you want to dismiss them from doing them, but do NOT do this. Make your child do the chore over until it's right. Teach them how to do it right, and explain to them that everyone must do their part. In the long run, it will be worth it. You'll have a clean house, and your child will have gained valuable life lessons.
Tip #2
Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries, such as curfews, or rules (no eating after dinner, get homework done before they can play, etc) will help your child learn to follow rules. You set rules for them to follow because following rules provides order. If a child disobeys one of these rules, you must follow through with a disciplinary action (taking away TV, making them do an extra chore). In life, adults have to follow rules as well. Going to work on time, for example. Setting boundaries and sticking to them is an important key to raising responsible children.
Tip #3
Give them freedom
Kind of seems like an oxymoron, doesn't it? Giving them freedom allows your child to make the right choices. It tests them every time. Take the curfew for example. Your child has to make a choice every time they have a curfew. If they make the right choice, they'll be home on time. If they don't, that's when you have to enforce the disciplinary action. Whether it's to take the freedom away, or whatever you chose, it teaches your child that making the right choice brings rewards, while making the wrong choice brings yet another learning experience.
Raising your kids to be responsible is a learning curve for parents too. As long as you remember to do the best you can, and to teach your children to do the best they can, the rest will come.