5 Ways To Teach Kids To Be Responsible Early

1. Divide the chores between the kids.
  This teaches the kids about the works in the house which is beneficial when they grow up, when they live on their own or have a family of their own. This also teaches the kids how to be responsible early on by doing their assigned tasks. Parents or older siblings have to follow through and make a ruling about tasks undone.

2. Let the kids work for something they want.
  Some kids have the tendency to be brats. They can be manipulative by pulling stunts, like pointing at the toy they want in a crowded store and cry out loud when they don't get what they want. But some parents also have the tendency to spoil their children, giving everything the kids want even to the point of excess. Some reason out that they love their kids. We all do. But we should love accompanied with discipline. Some said they want their children to have what they (parents) have or never had when they were kids. We got that.

  The thing is, by doing so, we are teaching the kids to be dependent. Giving in to all their whims is not healthy. If we want the children to learn how to stand on their feet and be the man or woman we want them to be, it does not start from there.

  If the kids want something, seal a deal by agreeing only if they do something in return for the favor. But parents, make sure you keep your end of the bargain because broken promises to children is disheartening and they have the tendency to remember it for the rest of their lives. Not only that it will affect their relationship with you, but also the trust they have for others will be severed. You can also do some activities that will make the kids earn some money to have their share in buying the things they want. But of course, the activities that should be involved are the ones that interest them so they would do it willingly, wholeheartedly and with pride.

3. Teach them to save.
  This does not only mean setting aside a part of their baon or the monies given. It could also mean not being wasteful on things. Writing papers used as paper planes, let them try using the scratched papers or old newspapers and magazines. If they eat, ask them to get what they think they could consume without leftover. Teach them the importance of saving water and electricity.

  If you could, show them something that tells how fortunate they are for what they have. My parents used to remind us about the hungry children in Africa, the children begging in the street for food, or how some people in the other parts of the world fight for clean water.

4. Introduce the reward scheme.
  There are children who act like responsible adults. But in most cases, children are children. They think of playing, watching television and messing with their toys. Parents, please avoid cleaning after their mess all the time because either it frustrates you, or they will expect you to do it all the time for them. Avoid shouting either and pushing them to do it.

  As parents, with calm authority, ask them to do the work they are capable of doing. Like making their beds when they wake up, putting their toys back on the shelf, doing their homework, folding their clothes, picking the litter from the floor and etc.

  Even the small tasks can be daunting to them and they grumble. Try rewarding them for doing the chores. For instance, serve them their favorite breakfast after they made up their bed, or let them play or watch television when the homework is done. Rewards do not need to be grand. They could be those little things that light your children's eyes or put a smile on their faces.

5. Teach them to be kind and humble.
  Children learn well from what they see. As parents, they look up to us as their idols. We could not only tell them to be kind and humble but we should live and lead by example. Begin the lesson at home by treating the house helpers well and avoid shouting at them or berating them in front of the children on some mistakes. Ask them to apologize when they commit mistakes, especially to the elders. Teach them to give when they can with what they have: old toys, outgrown clothes and shoes, extra school supplies, used books and reading materials, etc. Charity should begin at home.