Teaching a Child Responsible Behavior Begins at Home

Parents are teachers, too. When it comes to childthat should be highlighted to children. At the top of
rearing, one of the most important lessons athe list is Respect and Compassion toward others.
parent can teach their youngster is responsibleThis should be the corner stone for all other
behavior. This means helping the child learn how toaspects 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 theRespect and Compassion: Responsible behavior is
feelings of others, respect for others possessions,impossible apart from respect and compassion
respect for authority figures, and a selflesstoward other people, as well as other life forms.
attitude.Compassion dictates kindness and an unwillingness
Considerate, responsible behavior must be taughtto intentionally cause suffering or pain. Respect
while a child is very young so that it is instilled bydictates basic manners and consideration toward
the time they are older, when irresponsibleothers. Concern is exhibited through both feelings
behavior risks evolving into criminal behavior.and actions.
Teaching a child about responsible behavior beginsHonesty: To be honest means not only telling the
at home. It is accomplished by setting a goodtruth to others; it means being honest with one's
example on a daily basis. Parents do this by beingown self. It means making decisions based upon
conscientious about exhibiting maturity in thetruth and evidence, not upon self-serving motives
ways they deal with other people, react toor prejudice.
stressful situations, disagree with others, makeCourage: 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 intois 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 actSelf-control: Self-control is the ability to act
responsibly, and to pursue their own interestsresponsibly, and resist inappropriate behavior. It
without becoming insensitive of the needs andinvolves sticking to long-term commitments, and
feelings of others.dealing with anger and other emotions in a
Accountability, fairness, honesty, courage, andresponsible manner.
respect toward self and others are importantSelf-respect: When a child is raised to be honest,
character traits. Many parents help instill thesecourageous, and to exhibit self-control, they
qualities by sharing deeply held religious and moralautomatically 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 forresponsible manner and learn to make responsible
ethical behavior, even when difficult or notchoices 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 agood stead as they grow, mature into adults, and
characteristic formed over time, made up of ourthen perhaps become responsible parents with
outlook on life and daily habits. Responsible peoplechildren of their own to rear.
behave that way whether or not anyone isFor 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.