Responsibility

 Getting your kids (whether they are kindergarteners or teenagers) out of the door in the morning and on their way to school can sometimes be the hardest time of day!  Tired kids can't find anything to wear, get grumpy with everyone, and seem to lose their lunchbox or backpack every day.  Those maddening mornings can be a great opportunity to teach responsibility if you back up just a little bit.  

If children know it is their responsibility to do certain tasks every night and every morning, they can rise to the challenge of being more organized and taking more ownership for their behavior.  A simple evening routine chart can really help them get prepared for the next day.  You can include everything they need to do such as: brushing their teeth, washing their face or taking a bath, laying out clothes for tomorrow (this eliminates stressful decisions), putting their bag on a hook with their homework and lunchbox, and getting to bed at a reasonable time. 

At school we are training students on responsibility by encouraging tidy locker spaces and desks.  We remind students to know where all their supplies are (in their pencil box) for traveling to different classes.  We also talk about taking pride in your work and doing your best as elements of responsibility.  

I am always reminded that we are raising adults so we want to instill in them the behaviors and attitudes that will make them contributing citizens when they grow up.  We want them to take ownership of their choices, be on time, be reliable and work hard to do their best.