How to Raise Responsible Children

Raising responsible children is a common goal for most parents, but defining and reaching that goal can have many varied opinions. Basically, a responsible person is one who considers the needs of others and the consequences of their actions. These steps will help foster a child's development into becoming a responsible person.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Model responsible behavior. Actions are more often caught, not taught. Children see their parent's behavior everyday and will learn how to act based on what they see.

2. Start early. Even toddlers can learn to help out with simple chores, like sweeping or putting their toys away. They might make the mess bigger or get distracted, but they are learning that they can do things to be helpful.

3. Use rewards, not bribes. When you catch your child doing something responsible, offer them a sticker or a special trip to the library. Avoid bribes though, which are incentives given before hand to encourage responsible behavior.

4. Allow the child to receive the natural consequences for their actions. For example, if they lose their soccer ball, then they have to go through the steps of borrowing one, or sitting out in practice. Do not bail them out by just buying a new soccer ball.

5. Believe in the child. See them for their possibilities and not their failures. If you believe in them, they will believe in themselves. If you don't think they can be responsible, then neither will they.

6. Seek help from other responsible adults and child development specialists. Other adults can help you keep a balanced view of your child. They can share from their expertise and help you see where your child is being responsible and where they need to improve.

7. Meet the child's desires in moderation, without granting their every wish. Overindulging the child's fancies will only teach them that the world revolves around them. When in reality, they need to work for the things they want. Teach them to raise the money needed for that new toy or complete extra chores around the house to earn extra TV time.

Tips & Warnings

• Any guardian can take steps to raise responsible children. Do not be discouraged if you are a single parent or a grandparent raising a child alone. You may have limited resources, but you are still the best teacher the child can have.
• Remember that you are responsible to be a good parent to the child, but you are not responsible for the child's actions. All people, including children, make their own choices. No one can force another person to act a certain way. We can only live in a responsible manner, so that our children see the value of being a responsible person.
• When offering rewards, be careful not to teach your child that every time they do something good, they will get a tangible object in return. It is important to teach children that the good feeling of being responsible is the most treasured reward.
• Do not belittle or shame a child when they make a poor choice. This can damage them emotionally and cause them to reject the idea of being a responsible person. Moreover, it is best to encourage a child to try again and see the benefits of putting the needs of others first by being responsible.