How to Apply Specific Parenting Skills to Help Your Children Be More Responsible
Raising responsible children is one of life's toughest journeys. For some parents, it seems like no matter how hard they try, their kids don't get it. For other parents, it appears to come easily. Some specific parenting skills and activities are necessary to accomplish the goal, whether it comes easily or with some difficulty.
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Start Early
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The worst time to start teaching your child responsibility is when the child begins acting irresponsibly. You can use your parenting skills with young children, even if it seems they are too young to understand. When you act responsibly, your child will model your behavior. Putting your family first will show the child you are responsible for them. Make plenty of time to spend with your children when they are young. As they grow, the more examples they have of your responsible behavior they have, the more inclined they will be to look to you for advice over other influences.
Discipline
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There are many ways to develop parenting skills that teach discipline. For young children, a "time out" for inappropriate behavior shows the child you will not tolerate bad behavior. You can create a more responsible older child by finding an activity that requires a certain amount of discipline. When you show the child how to responsibly handle the activity, whether it is a sport or a household chore, you are using your parenting skills. Acting as a coach, leading a scout group or even teaching a child how to mow a lawn or use tools teaches structure and discipline.
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Choices
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Use your parenting skills to help children make responsible choices. Asking "What would you like for dinner?" does not teach a child how to react responsibly, it gives too many options. Give your child two choices, such as, "Would you like a hamburger or pizza?" so the child has to make a strict choice, not an open one. Use your family time to find choices for the child to make that have consequences. For instance, if the child chooses to do chores on Saturday rather than putting them off until Sunday, find a reward for the more responsible choice.
Work Ethic
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A work ethic teaches children responsibility. Try starting with a simple chore chart posted in an area the children see all the time, like on the refrigerator. Make the chores fun when you can, like adding jumping in leaf piles to raking fall leaves or building a snowman along with shoveling the drive or sidewalk. Impress upon your children how important work is by taking pride in your own work. Don't come home from work and complain about how bad your job is, even if it is bad. Take the time to make your parenting more important than your own satisfaction.
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