Think about this statement: “You are responsible to your children not for them.”

Ask yourself what that statement means to you – especially what it means to be responsible “to” your children. Think about what your job is as a parent. Answer the questions below.

• What things  can you control as a parent. Can you control what you teach them, how you teach them, and the rules and consequences you use to encourage them to do what is right?  Can you control whether they always do what is expected of them?

• Are you being a responsible parent when you give up on your child or ignore their misbehavior?

• Can you still be responsible to them even when they mess up – which they will certainly do?

 Being responsible for your children would require much more control than you likely have over your children and prevents them from developing life skills, a conscious, and self-discipline.  Being responsible “to” them is better for you and for them. Below you can rate how much you are responsible “to” your children.

• Not enough – I find myself giving up when they misbehave. I don’t know what to do about or am afraid of their angry outbursts.

• Somewhat – I let them know I love them and also follow-through on rules and consequences some of the time, but not as often as I need to.

• Very much – I work hard at making sure they feel loved and at making sure they know life skills and how to behave. When they don’t respond, I use consequences consistently and in a matter-of-fact way. Then, we all turn the page and start over with me trying to find new ways to teach them what is expected.