Children, throughout their growth, develop many skills; some of them are inherent to their personality, and others we must encourage, as is the case with values.
For our children to be responsible, it is necessary to implement some habits that allow them to acquire this quality.
“The greatest day of your life and mine is when we take full responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we really grow up.”
-John C. Maxwell-
If you want your children to grow up to be responsible people, it is important that you spend time teaching them. Remember that education is not limited to what they learn at school; largely based on what they learn at home. Learn 15 good habits to raise responsible children.
15 good habits to raise responsible children
teach by example
It is fundamental for our children to learn to be responsible that they see in us an example of values.
We cannot expect them to be or do things that are completely different from what they see at home; in our actions, it is therefore necessary to be consistent. Remember that one of the main means by which our children learn is through imitation.
learn to solve problems
As parents, sometimes it is difficult for us not to intervene when our children are in a conflict, however small it may be, and we seek by all means to solve their problems , but this only teaches them to leave the responsibility of what happens to others. Give them some time to work out the conflicts.
routines are important
Having stable routines during parenting allows them a more fluid and healthy development on a psychosocial level. It’s about having established routines that stick with you no matter the situation.
By this we do not mean that it is necessary to convert the home into a military barracks, but that there must be established norms that cannot be changed.
collaborate at home
Allow them the opportunity to be an active part of the operation of everything in the house: how?
Very simply, integrate them into the daily routines of the home, such as placing the dishes on the table to eat, picking them up when finished, helping with cleaning, making the bed, etc. You can adjust this to the age of your children .
“The true seeker grows and learns, and discovers that he is always primarily responsible for what happens.”
-Jorge Bucay-
always with respect
Treat your child with respect at all times, even when you have to repeat him to do something, be very patient and tell him in a calm voice what you want or need him to do.
If you feel respected, you will learn to treat others with respect and to be responsible for what you say.
It’s not bad to be wrong
Teach your children that making mistakes is part of life and that there is nothing wrong with it. But emphasize the fact that it is very important to take responsibility for our mistakes and that we can learn from them.
talk to your kids
When you indicate the rules of the house, talk with your children. It is important that they are also taken into account, especially when they are going through adolescence. In this way everyone assumes the responsibility of complying with the rules.
allow them independence
Being independent also grants a degree of responsibility implicit in it, since it is about letting them take charge of some things . In this way, responsibility is gradually and naturally acquired without impositions.
“The willingness to accept responsibility for our own lives is the source of self-respect.”
-Joan Didion-
stop repeating
It is common that as parents we have the tendency to repeat over and over again some indications of what we want them to do. Instead of doing this, reason with your child about what to do; in this way he will be responsible for what corresponds to him.
Assume the responsibility
It is important that our children learn to take responsibility for what they have done or said. Let them express themselves about it, and you can even help them talk about it by offering them a safe environment to talk.
Use token systems
Token systems, also called token economies, are point systems that allow children to work on certain behaviors through positive reinforcement. Thus, you can take advantage of them to teach your children what their responsibilities are .
They are based on determining together with them what we expect them to do, and once they comply with it, they can receive a reward. It shouldn’t be something big (it doesn’t even have to be something material); It can be a trip to the park, a family game, etc.
Causes and consequences
Teach your children that every action has a consequence. But, beware, we do not mean something negative with this; a consequence can also be positive , such as rewards from token systems.
“If we can ask ourselves the question: am I responsible for my actions or not? It means that we are.”
-Fiodor Dostoevsky-
break free from guilt
One of the things we most need to pay attention to as we teach our children to be responsible is guilt.
It’s easy to feel guilty when we’ve done something wrong, and this can seriously affect a child’s self-esteem. Teach them to make mistakes and take responsibility without feeling guilty.
Do not force to apologize
We generally believe that by forcing our children to ask for forgiveness when they have done something wrong, we are teaching them to be responsible, but nothing is further from the truth.
You will only learn to ask for forgiveness as something mechanical and meaningless. Invite him to think about what he has done and apologize if he feels that way, without forcing him.
let him participate
When you are establishing the rules of the house, let him participate. Let him express what he thinks and negotiate with your child those rules.
It is important that they feel heard and cared for. You will see how in this way they will better integrate the rules and comply with them without problems.
“You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons or the wind, but you can change yourself. That’s something you’re in charge of.”
-Jim Rohn-
Photos | Cover (Freepik)
