Parents want responsible children. The world needs responsible adults who will teach children in their circle of influence to assume personal responsibility.
Parents who allow children to experience the natural and/or logical consequences of their actions prepare them to be responsible, reflective, responsive, respectful and resilient adults. It is important to the future adults that we assist them to become self sufficient thinkers and problem solvers who don’t have to ask or be told what to do in every situation.
World of Work Needs Responsible Workers
As business owners, we found many of those who had fine educations and technical skills did not know how to assume personal responsibility for their choices and decisions. It was as if we, the business owners and managers, were expected to re-parent people and teach them skills best learned as children.
Those young people who have those life skills of responsible attitudes and a work ethic, literally stand head and shoulders above other applicants. They are the first to be promoted and the last to be let go in economic downturns.
Competent Kids Make Confident Adults
What does it take for parents to teach responsibility? Every parent has a different answer and a different expectation of when and how their child will assume personal responsibility. One thing is for sure ant that is responsibility must be taught. It is not a natural skill and most of us would love to have others wait on and provide for us, but learn the joy of being in charge of our own lives.
Responsibility can be taught at any age, but is best when consistency and follow through is used in daily teaching moments. You cannot expect a 35 year old job from a 10 year old. Nor can you expect a 10 year old to assume responsibility for a task unless he/she knows that the ownership of the decision or problem belongs to them. Parents may have to occasionally jump in and help them do an unpleasant task or problem solve, but not do it for them.
Encourage Children to Make Responsible Choices
The more the child has the opportunity of “owning” the decision or task, the more he/she will learn and the more their confidence will grow. The purpose of allowing natural consequences to occur and designing logical consequences is to encourage children to make responsible choices.
This is teaching, training and guidance not a method of punishment. Parents should look down the road and envision their child in the world of work and help them learn problem solving skills.
You do not become responsible when you mature, you mature as you become more responsible.
For more information on teaching your children responsibility, please go to: http://www.kidschoresandmore.com
You will be glad you did!
In gratitude,
Judy H. Wright aka Auntie Artichoke, family relationship author and keynote speaker
How many parents become the primary care-giver of pets when their children do not take responsibility? Those that do maybe are few too many.
Did you write this quote:
You do not become responsible when you mature, you mature as you become more responsible.
I think you should tweet it. Send it to me and I will RT.
Never had kids but my own experience as an ex-kid says you’re right on.
Yes, indeed, the world needs responsible adults. You give good steps to help us grow our children into those adults and to help us be them, too.
Natural and logical consequences apply to all of us in all parts of our lives. Thank you for your words of “childish” wisdom.
Kathryn Merrow – The Pain Relief Coach
Preach it, Auntie Artichoke! Taking responsibility changes everything for the better. I talk to people about thyroid health, and so many just want somebody to give them a pill to make everything better, but it doesn’t work that way. Taking responsibility for your own health is the sure road to good health.