Yes, You Can Teach Your Child to Be More Responsible
You are the most important teacher your child will ever have. Your children will learn by the example you set. If your children see you being responsible, they will follow your lead and want to also act responsible.
If children do not learn the proper values and behavior when they are very young, problems can develop, no I take that back, they will develop.
Below are 7 ways to help make this a reality.
New Table of Contents
- 1. Start when your child is young.
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- 2. Let the consequences of your child's mistakes happen
- Great Parenting Stuff on eBay
- 3. Acknowledge your child when they are acting responsibly
- What's your favorite Parenting Book
- 4. Don't buy your child's help
- 5. Responsibilty should be a family value
- Recommended Reading on Parenting
- 6. Believe in your child
- What is Your Parenting Style?
- 7. Give your child responsibility
- What's your thought on these parenting tips?
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1. Start when your child is young.
Don't wait too long
As soon as your child is old enough to understand, he is old enough to begin to help. You should introduce your child to helping with simple tasks like bringing you a clean diaper when he needs to be changed or handing you his bottle when he is finished.Children inherently want to help out. You can watch your kids at an early age and see that they always want to bring stuff to you. You have to teach them by giving them praise (isn't that what parents are supposed to do anyway). Praising your child will help build your child's confidence and sel-esteem and will also develop a pattern of helping out throughout your child's life.
Amazon Spotlight
The Five Love Languages of Children
Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 12/24/2009)![]()
List Price: $14.99
The information in this book is very powerful and has the potential to radically alter your relationships with your children, as well as anyone else in your life. The testamonials are very convincing, and the fact that this book, as well as others in the "Love Languages" series have enjoyed such wild success is a testimony to their effectiveness.
This book would be useful reading for any parent, no matter the quality of relationships within the family, as well as anyone else who is dealing with children on a regular basis (teachers, grandparents, babysitters, etc.).
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2. Let the consequences of your child's mistakes happen
As parents it is tough to see our childen suffer if we can help it. At the same time, parents that protect their children from any consequences of their actions are doing a huge disservice to their children.As parents, out goal is to teach our children to be good, responsible adults. As we all know (except for those in Hollywood), once they become an adult, no one is going to be able to shelter them when they are careless and make bad decisions.
When you child makes a mistake, do him a favor by not bailing him out. Let your child learn that there are consequences to their behavior, both good and bad. By allowing your child to be responsible for their actions, you are actually allowing them to learn to be dependable.
Yes, at times it will be very tough. In the long run it will help you child to grow into a responsible adult.
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Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by3. Acknowledge your child when they are acting responsibly
We all love recognition. When your child is behaving in a trustworthy and responsible manner you should point it out to them and encourage them. Children must also learn that trustworthy and responsible behavior result in positive consequences.This encouragement will ensure they continue with this type of behavior.
What's your favorite Parenting Book
If your favorite parenting book is not listed, you can add it to the list.
What to Expect When You're Expecting: 4th Edition by Heidi Murkoff, Sharon Mazel
Announcing a brand new, cover-to-cover revision of more...1 point
Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food by Jessica Seinfeld
Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your more...0 points
Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons by Tim Russert
What does it<i> </i>really mean to be more...0 points
The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman
Are you and your spouse speaking the same language more...0 points
4. Don't buy your child's help
You want to build an internal desire to assist you and not one based upon receiving a payment.You should have your child learn how good it feels to help and give to others. When your child gets a reward for assisting, you teach them to focus on the reward and not on the real reason for helping others.
Instead of rewarding your child you can show them your gratitude by saying something like, "I really apprecate how you helped me clean the house today and I want to do something nice for you too. How about we go and pick out a movie at the movie store and watch it tonight before going to bed."
This allows you to motivate your child to help without focusing on the reward. You child will also remember that occasionally they might receive something unexpected for helping.
"Don't give up on your child...They need you!"
5. Responsibilty should be a family value
Show your child that everyone in your family should be responsible. Discuss the need to be responsible with everyone in the family at the dinner table and explain that each family member is responsible for clearing their part of the table after eating.Your child should see that you are responsible. You will be amazed how much more your child will learn from what you do than by what you say. Remember, our children love to imitate their parents. Set the standard for your children. The old saying, "Do as I say not as I do" does notwork well when trying to raise responsible children.
Recommended Reading on Parenting
Parenting Tips books to read
Parenting Gifted Kids: Tips for Raising Happy And Successful Children
Amazon Price: $12.20 (as of 12/24/2009) ![]()
List Price: $16.95
Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item.
Bonus Tips for Parents With a New Baby
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20 Minutes to Effective Parenting: Communication Skills
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6. Believe in your child
This is the most important way to teach your child become responsible. Children have not defined themselves at an early age. Children get there self-image from those around them and how those around them respond.If you view your child as being responsible then your child will grow to fit those expectations. Likewise, if you express to your child know that they are not responsible, they will grow into those expectations.
Show your child today that you believe in them.
Here's my favorite link:
7. Give your child responsibility
Allow your children the opportunity to act responsibly
It is a fact that children do not just become more dependable and responsible as they get older. They become more dependable and responsible by taking on responsibility.The only way your child will learn to become repsonsible and dependable is by having the opportunity to do so.
Give your child a chance to show you that they can be responsible and dependable. Your child will grow from these opportunities. If you coach your child correctly, you will notice they will learn more from their mistakes than their triumphs.
What's your thought on these parenting tips?
Help others by giving your feedback on these parenting tips
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Reply
- Rick_Byrd Rick_Byrd Apr 12, 2009 @ 8:26 pm | in reply to rlmodranski
- Thanks for the comment. I see media coverage everyday where people do not take responsibility for their actions. Kids see this kind of behavior and think that it is acceptable. We have to stand up and hold people, especially our kids, accountable for their actions, both good and bad.
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- rlmodranski rlmodranski Apr 10, 2009 @ 2:42 pm
- Great Job! As parents take the responsibility to teach their children responsibility, the world will become a better place
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- mutter mutter Feb 2, 2009 @ 3:44 pm
- Hi, great tips and info here! So true what you say! We can't keep them in the nest forever. Children really need to know what it means to belong, by playing their part and learning to give in the safe environment of their family.
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- AMB1 AMB1 Sep 24, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
- very nice site! I expecially like the module about letting them experience consequences. For me, growing responsibility in my kids has been a lot easier since they've gotten a little older - but I'm convinced that the early efforts paved the way.
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- AshleyAnnRyan AshleyAnnRyan Sep 15, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
- Lucky you!! You're this weeks featured Lens on Parenting on Squidoo. Go ahead, take a peek!
Ashley
Why Does My Child Bite?
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- Rick_Byrd Rick_Byrd Sep 9, 2008 @ 9:06 am
- Hey bygproductions:
That is a great tip from your friend. I really like the idea of making it a right of passage.
I hope you friend does not mind if I borrow that idea.
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- bygproductions bygproductions Sep 9, 2008 @ 12:02 am
- Along th line of tip #7, I have a friend that gives her children a new responsibility at each birthday. It's more like a right of passage than a chore.
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- AshleyAnnRyan AshleyAnnRyan Aug 8, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
- Hi Rick,
Thanks for joining "Parenting on Squidoo" Great Lens, which I will be featuring!
5 Stars!
Ashley
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- TwoBrightHeads TwoBrightHeads Aug 6, 2008 @ 8:18 am
- Good information here. Thank you so much. 5*
big bright head
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- Aldric_Chang Aldric_Chang Jul 30, 2008 @ 11:15 pm
- Hi, this is a very nice and informative lens. Thanks for sharing it :) 5 stars for you! I've also got a lens on a brand new preschooler cartoon at http://www.squidoo.com/katakune. I hope you can visit it and give me your thoughts and votes :)
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