How to Delegate a Responsibility to a Teen

As children get older and become teenagers, they will need to be taught the important lesson of responsibility. Along with teaching them responsibility, you can also emphasize the importance of following directions as you delegate certain responsibilities to them. Give your teen a chance to shine by providing them with the tools they need to take responsibility for a simple task.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Give your teen a brief overview of the task you are delegating and the deadline for completion of the task. Make sure your teen realizes why both the task and the deadline are important.

2. Explain in detail all the steps it is going to take your teen to get the task done. You may wish to have your teen take notes, or you can write out directions and give them to your teen. You may also wish to demonstrate the task to them at this point.

3. Allow your teen to complete the task without standing over them making sure that it is done right. You should have given your teen all the tools they need to complete the task. Now is the time that they can use to prove to you and themselves that they are responsible enough to get the task fulfilled.

4. Ask your teen how they felt the task went before you check on it yourself. Have your teen explain to you what went well and not so well with the task. If appropriate, have the teen go back and fix something that didn't go well before you check on it yourself.

5. Check back on the task once your teen has completed it to see if it has been done correctly. If it has, be sure to thank your teen and let them know they did a great job. If the task has not be done correctly, be sure to explain to your teen what else needs to be done to get the task completed.