Welcome to HBB: Have a Great Vacation!

Happy Vacation Everyone! I hope everyone has a fun, restful vacation. Many of you are traveling, some of you are staying home. Either way, vacation is a great time to focus on a few key skills with your child that can be carried over into school and can help them be successful. One great thing to think about is helping your child develop an understanding of what it means to be responsible. Teaching your child to be more responsible, hardworking and persistent are great skills that often translate directly to success in school. Here are a few ideas on ways to increase a sense of responsibility in children.

Team Work

Getting your child to think of themselves as a Team Player can help encourage your child to be more responsible. Explain to your child that your family operates as a team. Everyone must play their part to get things done. One example might include giving an allowance that your child receives if they get chores completed. Another idea, give your child a set amount of allowance each week that they can use for buying lunch or save if they choose to make and bring their own lunch.

Let them help you

When you are involved in a project around the house have them lend a hand. Many times we avoid having kids help because it will take longer but taking the time to teach your child and expecting them to be part of the household projects will pay dividends later on. Be prepared for them to make mistakes and for the project to take longer and have faith that your child will benefit when you let them struggle and learn for themselves. Don’t rescue them or just do it for them and remain patient!

Teach Consequences 

Learning to take care of their things also helps a child develop a sense of responsibility for their actions. To get your child to clean up after an art project, inform them that they won't be able to play with their crayons and scissors until the next day if they leave a messy table. Then you need to follow though and take away their supplies if they shirk their responsibility. The more you enforce the rules, the more likely they will be to clean up without being asked -- or at least without whining about it too much. "It is ultimately your child's choice to not put a toy away," says Dr. Barzvi. "Parents are afraid to let kids suffer, be sad or angry, but if we always solve children's problems, they will not learn to be responsible as they grow up." If your daughter has to pack her bag for school each day and forgets her basketball sneakers, then she won't get to practice that afternoon. As much as you want to bring her sneakers to her, don't! Hopefully she'll be more cognizant of remembering her responsibilities next time.

Manage Your Expectations 

When you ask a seven-year-old to make their bed, it will not be perfect. Don't criticize. Recognize a job well done. The next time you make your own bed, show them how you do it.

Fuel Assistance