Teaching kids responsibility

1. Set goals

Have her set a goal of her own and check in before it’s achieved so you can talk about progress. You want her to know that reaching a goal is a process that sometimes calls for trying it a different way.

2. Stay positive

Mind your language (not just hers). Give positive names to activities that might have a negative connotation. Call chores “daily missions” or “helpful deeds” and talk about the brain-boosting power of homework.

3. Promote independence

Have her perform the same task(s) from week to week. As she repeats it over time, she’ll test different approaches and feel good coming up with her own unique solutions.

4. Empower

Rather than tell her how good she is in math, tell her how she’s good (e.g., I like the way you double-check your work to avoid mistakes). Identify tangible, measurable things she can hitch her star on.

5. Boost decision-making skills

Let her choose between two snacks or three free-time activities. She’ll learn empowerment and how to rationalize and prioritize.

6. Reward hard work

Even if it’s just 10 more minutes at the playground, rewards get the message across that effort is important. It’s a great motivator that will help promote a lifelong work ethic.

I think every parent would agree, teaching your children responsibility is an enormous duty. We can feel good knowing that our kids are learning important lessons before they even step foot in the classroom.