At what age should a child be taught responsibility? Have you talked with your child about it?

Virginia Lou answered

Dear Jan,

Every child is so different, so unique...here is what I did with my god daughter, very troubled after spending early years with a toxic mom...

At the age of nine she was unable to bear any negative feedback at all, or even neutral. So I would say, right out of the blue; "You have been doing SO WELL, you are growing up SO beautifully - you have been doing (whatever tasks) so nicely, that we have simply NO CHOICE but to go out and do (a fun, grown-up adventure) that I knew she would like.

You should have seen her! She would then literally search out ways to do more wonderful things, taking on whatever responsibilities she could find... she just did it herself, as she was ready...

Ancient One answered

As soon as you can and they are ready.

Cookie Roma answered

It's not that you pick an age to sit your child down and talk to them about personal responsibility Rather, from the beginning you expect a certain level (depending upon the child's age) of thinking about the things one does or says and how it effects that child and others around them There must be consequences (good or bad) for that behavior So if the child is raised to behave at the dinner table yet misbehaves, then they don't get dessert while everyone else does

PJ Stein answered

From the time they can understand. You give them small amounts and buildup as they learn.

At what age should a child be taught responsibility? Have you talked with your child about it?

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