Today’s Parenting Tip:

DECIDE:   Responsibilities and chores need to fit the age and maturity of your child.

PRACTICE:   Today, think about the age and maturity of your child.

How much freedom do you give him? The right amount for his age? Does he handle it well or get himself in trouble too often?

Does he do regular chores? Is he responsible about doing them? Does he do them well enough to meet your expectations?

Do you expect him to learn the life skills that most kids his age are learning?

If your answers show that your child is mature enough for the responsibilities and chores he is expected to do, celebrate. Use this information to decide what responsibilities and chores your child is ready for in the future.

If your answers show that your child is not very mature yet, think about whether his responsibilities and chores should be changed to fit his age and maturity better.

Today’s Decide and Practice daily parenting tip was inspired by our featured picture book, PICK A PUP.  Read the book to a child in your life each day as a reminder of what you are deciding and practicing that day.

Come back each day for another good parenting decision and how to practice it. (Each day’s activity will also be posted on the Daily Parenting Tips page for easy access.)

Read the whole story at Kids and Pets: More about Responsibility, Love, Independence, and Loss.