Wouldn't it be great if everyone took responsibility for their possessions, followed through with their commitments, owned up to their mistakes, and apologized when wrong? We all know that human beings are imperfect creatures that make mistakes and yet taking responsibility for those mistakes is so hard for us to do.
What causes us to put so much energy into defending our position but makes it so difficulty to say a simple "I'm sorry"? Before an individual can accept responsibility, they must perceive themselves as a responsible person.
This is not something we are born with, it must be learned.
In the past, children had to be responsible.
Children served an important role in the survival of their family.
Young children helped collect eggs and feed livestock.
Older children helped in the fields and tended to their younger siblings.
Life was hard and every able hand was utilized.
Children grew up fast but they also recognized the contribution they made.
Over the last century, our nation has grown in affluence bringing many modern conveniences to our daily existence.
Children's contributions are no longer viewed as important to the family's functioning.
Without having a meaningful role, it is difficult for children to develop a sense of purpose and significance.
Today, dual career and single parent families make keeping up with the household responsibilities almost impossible and children are needed to help to keep the family fed and the home clean.
Parents can and should provide a home life that creates a sense of importance in their children.
As in the past, children must have responsibilities important to the daily functioning of the home such as feeding the pets, taking out the trash, watering the plants, etc.
As long as adults do things for children that they can and should do for themselves, children will not develop a sense of capability, and, therefore, will not learn to be responsible.
However, parents cannot assume that a child, regardless of age, is able to perform a task or carry it through without training.
Training requires that expectations be communicated clearly, specifics be provided on how the job is done, the task demonstrated, and guidelines be provided.
Most importantly the child's contributions must be appreciated and recognized as integral to the family's successful functioning, no matter how small.
Your children can learn to be responsible human beings.
Follow these ideas and you will see a change.