| An important part of growing up and maturing is | | | | them to stand up against peer pressure and turn |
| learning how to handle responsibility. Holding your | | | | down that offered cigarette. If they don't, saying |
| children accountable for things like doing chores | | | | that all the other kids were doing it is not an |
| around the house, keeping up their grades and | | | | excuse. They should understand that the |
| making good decisions plays a crucial role in their | | | | punishment they might receive is far better than |
| development into mature young adults. | | | | the negative effects smoking will have on their |
| You can start holding your children accountable for | | | | bodies. |
| things at a young age by starting with something | | | | It is a parent's job to tell their children the ins and |
| small, like putting their toys away. By giving your | | | | outs of life, whether or not their children are |
| children this small responsibility to start with, you | | | | actually listening. However, it is important to let |
| can set them up for greater duties when they | | | | your children make some of their own decisions. |
| are older. It is important that they uphold their | | | | This will give them a sense of independence and |
| responsibilities and know that there are | | | | will make them feel like an adult. This may |
| consequences when they do not. This will show | | | | sometimes mean they make their own mistakes |
| your children the importance of doing what is | | | | as well, but as long as they are held accountable |
| expected of them and not skiving off their | | | | for their actions, a lesson can be learned from |
| responsibilities. | | | | these mistakes. If children do something wrong |
| Children should also be held accountable for their | | | | then nothing happens to them, they have not |
| behavior. If a teacher comes to you and tells you | | | | learned anything except what they can get away |
| that your son has been acting up in class, blaming | | | | with. The purpose of holding your child |
| the teacher will send the wrong message to your | | | | accountable for their actions is not only to give |
| child. By blaming the teacher you are teaching | | | | them a sense of responsibility, but to teach them |
| your son that he is not accountable for his | | | | right from wrong as well. |
| actions. | | | | Holding your children accountable for the decisions |
| If you've set standards for behavior for your | | | | they make can help make them better problem |
| children, it is important that they adhere to them. | | | | solvers. If they know their actions have |
| They need to know that you have made rules | | | | consequences they will be more likely to think |
| for a reason and that there will be consequences | | | | something through before acting on it. |
| for not following them. | | | | Accountability is about getting them to think |
| This applies especially to rules we make to ensure | | | | things through for themselves and learn about |
| our children are safe and healthy. If you teach | | | | responsibility before they become adults so that |
| your children that smoking is bad, you expect | | | | they will know how to handle it when they do. |