5 strategies to help your child become more responsible

When a child is born, he or she does not have any responsibilities. As a parent, you do everything for them – from looking after what they eat, bathing them and ensuring that they get a proper goodnight’s sleep. But your little kiddo will one day grow up to be an adult and take responsibilities. And the main aim of any parent is to bring up their child to be responsible citizens who take ownership of their actions.

But kids don’t suddenly become responsible when they grow up. They have to be taught from a tender age. Some of you may have already started giving them easy tasks to instil responsibility.

Here are some practical strategies that will help you in making your child more responsible -

Assign simple tasks

You can start by giving your kid simple tasks such as cleaning their room or packing their school bags. Give clear instructions about how to do it. You child must know what is exactly expected from him/ her. You can stay with them when they are doing the task.

Make sure the task at hand is age-appropriate and easy to complete. Performing the task successfully will give your child a sense of achievement. You must teach your kids that maintaining their room and belongings is their responsibility.

Reward your kids with a tasty meal for doing the task properly!

Teach them to clean up their mess

Kids need to learn that they must take ownership of their actions. If they mess up, they must fix the situation. For example, if your child spills juice or water on the floor, instead of cleaning it by yourself, ask them to help you out. Say “Oops! Juice spilt. Don’t worry, we can fix it together. ” Pick up a sponge or cloth and one to your kid to clean up the mess.

Be positive and cheerful while doing this, so that your kid doesn’t all defensive and reluctant to help you out. This will make them understand how to take responsibility for one’s actions.

Make a routine

Following a routine will help provide a structure to your child’s life. This routine must include tasks such as making your bed or cleaning your room. Doing these slightly uninteresting tasks every day will enhance their life skills. They will also improve their tasks. In no time, these activities will be a part of their daily lives.

So, every day they will feel that it is their responsibility to keep their room neat and tidy.

Let them handle difficult situations by themselves

It is natural to always stay by their side, but do not rush to bail out your kids in every situation. They might make mistakes, for example, they might break something at a relative’s home. Teach them to own their mistakes and take responsibility for their actions. Coach them to apologize properly to the relative and promise to be careful while playing.

Make sure they are not afraid or intimidated after a mistake and understand that it is normal to make mistakes as a human being. Taking responsibility of a mistake will and saying “Sorry” will make them remember the incident. Thus, they are less likely to repeat it.

Be their greatest example

Whatever you do, your child will try to emulate it. So, you have to be their primary role model who defines what responsibility means. You can start by keeping the promises you make. Say, you make a promise to take them out for a movie and dinner after that. But you fail to do so due to official work and end up cancelling the event.      

You may not pay much heed to this event, but this will leave an impression on your kid’s mind. He or she will think that breaking promises is not a big deal. And surely you would not want that to happen. As commitment is a crucial characteristic of responsible people, always make promises you can keep.

While teaching your little one about responsibility, be gentle and do not call them irresponsible if they make a mistake. They must inculcate responsibility naturally and enjoy taking responsibility for their actions.