Rohini tells us how we can raise responsible kids by teaching them to do small chores. A Different Truths exclusive.

Recently I was travelling on a local bus. The bus was crowded as usual. After a few stops, a mother and her son boarded the bus. They were returning from school and the mother was holding the bag on her shoulders and as expected the bag was very heavy. The boy must be of 7 – 8 years of age. Luckily, he got a seat, but the mother was standing. Every time the bus jerked the mother lost her balance but then again balanced herself back. The son was seeing all these and finally, he called his mother and asked her to give him the bag. But the mother refused. He stood up and forcibly took the bag from his mother and said, “Mama, why do you always want to do everything alone. I can help you by carrying the bag. Please, now you stand properly and be safe.”

I felt so good that at this age the boy understood his mother’s pain and helped her.

I could see a smile on the mother’s face. I felt so good that at this age the boy understood his mother’s pain and helped her. He behaved in a mature and responsible way. The boy must be helping his mother in other activities also. Who is the credit holder? Of course, the parents who are teaching such values to their kids.

Since the day my daughter turned three years, I decided to make her responsible for her work and teach her to be independent.

Since the day my daughter turned three years, I decided to make her responsible for her work and teach her to be independent. Few things that I started are:

1) Taught her to pick up her plate after having food and put it in the wash basin.

2) Always say ‘thank you’ to the people who are helping her.

3) Water the plants every day.

4) Once in a week, do cleaning of her toys.

5) Always keep the toys at their respective place after playing.

6) If anyone calls her for a small help, never say a ‘no’.

She puts everything in the fridge after coming back from the market, and many such small tasks at home.

As the years passed, I could see her becoming more responsible. She puts everything in the fridge after coming back from the market, and many such small tasks at home. I am often labelled as a strict mon by some of my relatives and friends since I make my daughter work. Such parents should understand that these kids must be independent and responsible human beings one day, if they do small tasks at home, it would help them in the long run of life.

Every time my husband is back from the office, my little one gives him a glass of water. This is not a work she is doing; this shows her care towards her father as a responsible kid.

Every time my husband is back from the office, my little one gives him a glass of water. This is not a work she is doing; this shows her care towards her father as a responsible kid. During summers, every day she keeps a bowl of water for the pigeons that come in our balcony and also a handful of rice. Once the water is drunk by them, she refills it. I did not teach her, she does it herself by saying that mama if I feel thirsty, they must also be feeling thirsty.

So, let’s start making our kids a responsible human being.

Photo from the Internet