6 ways to teach kids responsibility before they move out (without bribing or yelling)

There comes a time in every parent’s life when they have to prepare their child to deal with the world on their own. Responsibility and accountability can help a child navigate the world more easily. If you want to teach your kids responsibility before they move out of your home, here are 6 tips that will help:

Help them form a routineThe first thing you should be teaching your kids is establishing a proper routine that helps them manage household chores and school work, along with their personal interests and hobbies. Having a schedule can help break down mammoth tasks into small, achievable goals. The best way to teach children anything is by being a positive role model that they can mimic. Set a routine for your whole family by waking up early and sleeping at a fixed time every night.Turn daily tasks into habits that stick

Slowly start by teaching your child basic household chores like making the bed and washing dishes. You can let them observe how to do tasks and lend them a hand until they can do chores completely on their own.Once your child gains confidence, you can assign them to manage household chores on their own once a week. Gradually progress with teaching them more complex things like doing laundry and cooking basic meals.Make them schedule appointmentsA frequently overlooked skill to teach your child is how to schedule appointments online or on the phone. This will teach them how to manage essential responsibilities like visits to the doctor or the bank with more confidence.Until your child moves out of the house, make them schedule the appointments for your household to help them practice. Keeping track of appointments and reaching places on time is also an essential skill that every child should know.Teach them organisation skills

Not knowing where important items in the house are and how to organise them can land your child in great trouble. Items like official documents, medicines and first aid kits can come in handy in emergency situations and should be kept in a secure and clean place.You can teach your child organisation skills by challenging them to keep their room decluttered at all times. You can also demonstrate how to properly secure sensitive items and use organisation tools like binders, drawer organisers, etc.Equip them with life-saving know-howThe most important thing your child should know is how to deal with life-threatening situations alone. This includes a range of circumstances, like knowing how to take care of valuable possessions and dealing with gas leaks, fires, and earthquakes.Demonstrate what to do in case of common emergencies, and make your child aware of all the exits in their new home if they ever need to evacuate. You should also show them how to be aware of their surroundings and make their home secure from burglars.Appreciate effort, not just results

Stepping into a new phase of life is not easy. As a parent, you boost your child’s confidence by giving them a nudge of appreciation whenever they perform a new task well.After all, some feedback on how they are adapting to their new responsibilities will let them know what they are doing right and affirm them while navigating an entirely new world. A small compliment can go a long way in helping your child feel more capable.