Guest Author - Jacqueline Geller

If Moms expect children to become responsible adults, the teaching begins at home. If a child has not learned some responsibility by the time he or she begins school, success at school and other environments away from home is seriously impeded.

Where to begin with teaching self-responsibility? Age appropriateness is important. Mom cannot expect a three-year-old to be responsible for choosing an outfit to wear without guidance.

Offering choices is a great way for a child to learn a lot of lessons, responsibility included. Two choices is the maximum for children up to about the age of five. ("Would you like milk or orange juice with breakfast?")

The child needs to think about this and then make a decision. Choices boost a child's ability to think independently, which is a predecessor to responsibility.

Moms can make sure that children start being responsible by taking care of their personal belongings. Clothing should not be thrown around the room nor should Mom put the toys away at the end of the day. Children as young as two can pick up toys with assistance. They also can put dirty clothing in the hamper and clean clothing in drawers, with help, of course.

At about the age of four, children can help make their lunch for the next day, lay out their clothing and gather things together that they need for daily activities.

They also can brush their own teeth with supervision and begin to take responsibility for small chores around the house.

By the time a child reaches school age, responsibility should increase. Moms should not receive daily calls begging for a forgotten book or other item needed to get through the day. The child should have prepared for the coming day the night before. Mom can prompt, but should not be responsible for getting things together that the child needs for the next day.

As children mature, they take pride in being responsible for themselves and learning to make decisions based on what they have learned. Yes, they might make a wrong choice, but if taught responsibility from a young age, will eventually learn to act responsibly in most situations.