As a new parent, you may feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities that have fallen into your shoulder. But despite those, you would not want to compromise when raising your child into a good person. The first thing most parents look forward to teaching their children is the responsibility as the lifelong journey comes with several ups and downs.
By allowing children the autonomy to choose their own actions while setting clear guidelines for what is and is not acceptable – you can aid in the development of responsibility in your child. In order for kids to learn how to make responsible decisions, they need to have the opportunity to try and fail.
Whatsoever, here are a few tips that you can employ to teach them to become responsible.
Solving Problems With Them
If you have a toddler at home, then you probably know how they are completely dependent on you. The child may stop listening to you and cooperating can become exhausting.
This is when you must consider teaching your child to be responsible which can be done by solving problems with them. Instead of feeling challenged by them, you can work with your child to find a solution to a problem.
Ask them “how can we solve this problem”? and let them come up with solutions. For example, you can tell them that you cannot drop them off at the playdate because you are busy and how badly they want to be there.
What can be done? You both can even make a list of solutions together that may sound silly. When you and your child do this together, you share responsibility and offer them the opportunity to take one.
Creating a CheckList
You may have found your child resisting getting dressed in the morning or brushing their teeth. Or you may find them coming to you for even the simplest thing which they know how to do themselves.
In this case, you can teach them to become responsible by creating a checklist that has pictures in it. You can create a chart by sticking pictures of the things that need to be done by the order during the morning and the nighttime.
For example, the morning routine may include making the bed, eating breakfast on their own, getting dressed, brushing their hair, brushing their teeth, and putting on the shades.
While the nighttime routine may include eating dinner, bathing, putting on the pyjamas, brushing teeth, drinking water, using the toilet, storytime, cuddling and sleeping. Once your child follows the checklist on their own, they will start to take ownership of their own responsibilities.
Ask for Help
Another way to teach your child to become responsible is by asking them for help. As a parent, you must know that your child wants to be involved and doing so can make them feel they are needed.
For instance, you can take them to the supermarket and make them in charge of the grocery list that can be created using pictures. Or you can simply ask them to carry the keys, hold the bags, or take the items out on the shelf.