| Parents are teachers, too. When it comes to child | | | | that should be highlighted to children. At the top of |
| rearing, one of the most important lessons a | | | | the list is Respect and Compassion toward others. |
| parent can teach their youngster is responsible | | | | This should be the corner stone for all other |
| behavior. This means helping the child learn how to | | | | aspects of responsible behavior: |
| interact with others in a way that displays | | | | - Honesty |
| self-respect, as well as respect toward others. | | | | - Courage |
| No child comes into this world pre-programmed | | | | - Self-control |
| with good manners and virtuous attributes such | | | | - Self-respect. |
| as a willingness to share, consideration for the | | | | Respect and Compassion: Responsible behavior is |
| feelings of others, respect for others possessions, | | | | impossible apart from respect and compassion |
| respect for authority figures, and a selfless | | | | toward other people, as well as other life forms. |
| attitude. | | | | Compassion dictates kindness and an unwillingness |
| Considerate, responsible behavior must be taught | | | | to intentionally cause suffering or pain. Respect |
| while a child is very young so that it is instilled by | | | | dictates basic manners and consideration toward |
| the time they are older, when irresponsible | | | | others. Concern is exhibited through both feelings |
| behavior risks evolving into criminal behavior. | | | | and actions. |
| Teaching a child about responsible behavior begins | | | | Honesty: To be honest means not only telling the |
| at home. It is accomplished by setting a good | | | | truth to others; it means being honest with one's |
| example on a daily basis. Parents do this by being | | | | own self. It means making decisions based upon |
| conscientious about exhibiting maturity in the | | | | truth and evidence, not upon self-serving motives |
| ways they deal with other people, react to | | | | or prejudice. |
| stressful situations, disagree with others, make | | | | Courage: When a person is courageous, they take |
| choices, etc. | | | | a position and do what is right, even when there |
| Parents can help their children grow into | | | | is risk involved. It means facing duties instead of |
| responsible adults by being a positive role model. | | | | behaving irresponsibly, recklessly, or carelessly. |
| Helping them learn how to think, feel, and act | | | | Self-control: Self-control is the ability to act |
| responsibly, and to pursue their own interests | | | | responsibly, and resist inappropriate behavior. It |
| without becoming insensitive of the needs and | | | | involves sticking to long-term commitments, and |
| feelings of others. | | | | dealing with anger and other emotions in a |
| Accountability, fairness, honesty, courage, and | | | | responsible manner. |
| respect toward self and others are important | | | | Self-respect: When a child is raised to be honest, |
| character traits. Many parents help instill these | | | | courageous, and to exhibit self-control, they |
| qualities by sharing deeply held religious and moral | | | | automatically learn to respect themselves. It is as |
| convictions with their children. Showing "why" | | | | they respond to people and circumstances in a |
| these attributes are important as a foundation for | | | | responsible manner and learn to make responsible |
| ethical behavior, even when difficult or not | | | | choices that they discover self-respect. |
| materially rewarding. | | | | And it is self-respect that will hold your child in |
| Responsible behavior is a cultivated trait. It is a | | | | good stead as they grow, mature into adults, and |
| characteristic formed over time, made up of our | | | | then perhaps become responsible parents with |
| outlook on life and daily habits. Responsible people | | | | children of their own to rear. |
| behave that way whether or not anyone is | | | | For specific ways to teach children responsible |
| watching, and regardless of how others may act. | | | | behavior, visit the Savvy Baby Gear web site. |
| There are several aspects of responsible behavior | | | | ©2006 Lori S. |