Hey Moms and Dads - How to Teach Kids to be Responsible

1. Model responsibility and accountability
   Show your children that you take responsibility for getting things done and keeping your word when you have said you will do something. Take out the trash, pick up the cupcakes for the class party, sew the button on your child’s favorite shirt so they can wear it again.

2. Give kids the experience of participating in group causes
   Make at least one hour a week, or one day a week, a time when all members of the family work together to clean up the house.

3. Let your children help you whenever possible
   Kids love to help adults with tasks. Even if it may take a little longer to have your little one help you make sandwiches for lunch or bake the cake for the scout meeting, let them help. They learn important skills, and it encourages responsibility and accountability.

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4. Provide structure in the form of schedules and routine
   Get your child into a routine around responsibility as young as possible. It will help tremendously if their responsibilities are built into their day. Have them bring their breakfast dishes to the sink after eating, help wash their dishes if they are old enough, make their bed in the morning, and more.

5. Encourage your child to think through situations
   Have a chart of responsibilities for them to refer to each day and let them think through the order of events, let them remember how to complete tasks (with simple reminders if needed), and let them organize themselves to get things done in a timely manner (they may need some extra support around this one).