How can we teach our children to become responsible kids so they can grow up to be responsible adults?
Discipline is vital in helping children learn to be accountable and responsible. And, as always, we rely on the word of God to help us when teaching our children about responsibility. Ultimately, we, as parents, want our children to follow instructions, be organized, manage time, manage emotions, control speech and actions, handle conflict wisely, choose friends wisely, and admit when they are at fault.
During this episode, Lee Ann elaborates on the following eight ways we can help our children learn the importance of being responsible:
- Understand God’s Commandments: The Bible provides a set of commandments and guidelines that teach children the importance of responsibility (Ref. John 14:15 & 1 Peter 1:14- 1 John 5:3).
- Utilize gifts from God: Children can learn to use whatever gift they have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. The Bible teaches children about stewardship, emphasizing that everything we have is a gift from God and we are to be responsible for taking care of the many blessings we must share with others (Ref. 1 Peter 4:10).
- Show accountability to God: Children need to grasp that they are accountable to their parents and God for their actions and words. Learning that God sees and knows everything can encourage children to behave responsibly, even when they think no one else is watching (Ref. Philippians 2:10-11 & Matthew 25:14-30).
- Honesty and integrity: Children are always taught to speak the truth, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. Responsibility and truthfulness help children develop a strong moral compass (Ref. 1 Timothy 3:9).
- Manage emotions and control speech and actions: The sooner we help our children learn that a responsible, respectful child can, in fact, manage their emotions with guidance and practice, the more we will see benefits now and later (Ref. James 1:19).
- Diligence and perseverance: We want our children to be resilient, work hard, be persistent, and not give up easily as success comes through effort, dedication, and being responsible.
- Follow instructions: We want them to accept tasks without grumbling or complaining (Ref. Ephesians 6:1 & 1 Corinthians 14:40).
- Manage their time: Responsible kids do their homework, go to bed, and get up in the morning without wasting time (Ref. Proverbs 21:5).
The best way to teach our children how to be responsible is for us as parents to model what it looks like. And when we fail, be honest with our children and help them learn from our mistakes. Use this “Responsibility Checklist” to help your child to learn how to be responsible.
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