How to make your child responsible

The parents are said to have done a successful job of parenting only when they have raised children who eventually find their way to success in life. Children develop these skills very gradually over the course of childhood. Those children in whom the sense of responsibility is inculcated in their early childhood days tend to be more self sufficient. When they become an adult they must be responsible and accountable for their actions. Responsibility is a learnt skill which takes time and is a gradual process. As a parent it is your role to provide them with the right tools to make your child responsible. Each child is different and hence some learn these lessons more easily than others. 

What is parent’s role in teaching responsibility to their children?

Children learn to be responsible by observing responsible adults, having specific task assigned to and doing with trial and error which is their greatest teacher. A child’s level of responsibility shapes up depending on your expectations and his good intentions. Parents play an important role in teaching responsibility by guiding children through the daily opportunities that encourages responsibility. The tasks assigned to a child should be age appropriate and should involve caring and helping family members. A child should clearly understand the connection between responsibility and privilege and he should be given appropriate privilege for additional responsibilities that he does. When he acts irresponsible withhold corresponding privileges. Children do make mistakes, help them to dust it off and try again. They should be given recognition for jobs well done and responsibilities maintained.

Responsibility at every stage of development:

The role of the parent has to proactive one while raising a responsible child.

Babies and toddlers: 

They don’t have the capacity to learn responsibility as they are busy learning how to use their bodies, to talk, how things work in the world. But they intently watch and listen to you and observe what you do for yourself and for others. They notice the way you make things happen for yourself and others in your everyday life. These early observations plant a seed in their minds.

Preschoolers:

They live an exciting and active life. They can interact through language and can do a great deal for themselves. They observe you closely and imitate your actions. They imitate the actions you take and responsibilities you assume to care for your family. 

School age children:

At this age they become more independent and can manage to do their daily chores. They also begin to help others. They take small responsibilities of the house like helping their younger one, setting the table at dinnertime and also begin to take responsibility for their school work and home work. They also learn to be responsible on the play ground. 

Preteens:

This is the time when they get most busy and are constantly juggling between their school work, sports activities, family chores and friends. They set their alarm clocks and wake themselves up in the morning and finish their chores and reach school on time. They help to mow the lawn, baby sit and participate in improving the society around. 

Teenagers:

 By this age they are completely responsible for their actions. They baby sit. Manage school work and homework. They help their younger siblings in their studies, help in family chores and participate in cleaning programs which are carried on for community welfare. 

All these efforts to take responsibility are important to your child. By making these efforts the child feels a budding sense of competence. They begin to see that their community and the world function through shared effort and responsibility. But most of all, children can learn to be responsible with the gentle guiding hand of their parents.