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Taking Responsibility
You Can Help Your Preteen By Gina Roberts-Grey, LCSW
Elizabeth Gibson of Medford, N.Y., wishes her two children would realize the importance of taking responsibility for their actions. "They are always stunned if a privilege is revoked when they fail to complete their designated household tasks," she says. Gibson's quest to instill a responsible attitude in her children for their actions can be achieved by implementing a few techniques.
"In this instance parents can clearly communicate the potential consequences," says Schmidt. "A child will have all the information pertinent to his demonstration of responsibility before losing a privilege. Another option is reverting back to the idea of a checklist. Noting that watching television can only be accomplished after his room is thoroughly cleaned and dusted or that playing video games is a luxury afforded to those who set the table and take out the trash helps children learn how to be responsible as well as avoid losing privileges."
Praising children for their demonstration of responsibility when they take it upon themselves to feed the dog or water the plants further advances your mission. Your child will appreciate the recognition and work to receive additional praise for asserting his responsible attitude.