Giving children responsibility and teaching children responsibility
Featured in Positive Parenting Inspirational Speaking Podcast.
Give responsibility. Many times, we tell our children what to do, when to do it, and how to do it from the moment they get up. What happens is they start ignoring us and not doing what they are asked to do. They forget and do it badly because they don’t feel responsible for what they do. When we give them lists, things to do and nag them and tell them 10, 15 or 20 times, they completely ignore it. The way to teach responsibility is practical Give responsibility. Until children are given responsibility, they don’t actually take charge and do what they’re supposed to do.
How do you give children responsibilities compared to teaching responsibilities?
The teaching responsibility is to talk about it. When you notice that you keep saying, “How many times have I told you that you are responsible for cleaning your room?” or “You need to clean your room,” or “How many times have I asked?” Will you wash the dishes or set the table? Or whatever it is. Every time you make a speech like this, it will be interpreted as nagging and complaining. They would hear “Bara, Bala, Bala” and brush it off.
How will you take responsibility?
One way to do this is to tell them just once what you expect of them or what you want them to do and then let them do it. Even said, “I really need you to clean your room. It’s really important that we have company this weekend. Is there anything you need from me to make sure you get this done?” Listen and see, maybe your child needs something that you can provide to help them be able, willing, and able to clean their room. If it doesn’t happen, don’t ask again, but look at why I don’t have his “support”?
Why don’t I let my kids do what they’re supposed to do?
See if there are parts of how you implemented it and what you could have done differently. One of the ways I approach my kids is, instead of saying, “I asked you to do this, you said you would do it, and now you don’t,” you say, “I noticed we had this conversation, and I asked You cleaned the room, but it’s not done yet. Is there something I didn’t convey clearly?
What’s going on?
Ask why it wasn’t done and why there was no support, and see if you can find answers. That answer will be your solution. and what your child needs and what you can do to help them get it done. By doing this, you really do it give Take responsibility for your children and empower them to hold themselves accountable. This is how they become more and more responsible. Make sure you don’t take responsibility for them. Make sure you turn it over and coach along the way. Guide, guide, guide, help, support and assist them. You will find that you will have a more responsible, helpful, and respectful child.
