Responsible Behavior How to act responsibly

Responsible Behavior Taking responsibility for one’s actions for belongings, and personal space and areas of one’s life. Being liable, called on to answer for behavior

1. What Are You Responsible For?

2. Five Essential Elements Honesty Compassion Fairness Accountability Courage

Questions What are you really doing when you cheat on a test? Why is it important to be honest with yourself? What does it mean to empathize with someone who is different than you? Why is it sometimes fair that you not get what you want? What is the difference between risky behavior and true courage?

Road to Responsibility Time Line Responsibility Tasks By 6 years of age To obey parents and other adults To take care of their belongings To accept and complete simple household chores Results in responsible adult behavior Is able to take instruction Respect parents and other adults Feels a need to take care of personal property Knows the value of sharing workload

Road to Responsibility Time Line Responsibility task By 8 Years of age Right from wrong To begin to develop talents To show a peaceful attitude Result in responsible adult behavior Has well defined values Has confidence in decision Shows respect for the law Can fit in and find a place in society.

Responsibility time line By 10 years of age a child should learn To show self- control To build personal character To understand potential Result in responsible adult behavior Takes responsibility for own choices and actions (doesn’t blame others)

Responsibility Time Line Responsibility by 12 years of age To give service To be dependable To contribute to one’s surroundings. Results in responsible adult behavior Takes care of family and self Feels a need to help other members of society Is dependable

Responsibility is not the result of maturity, but the cause of it, and a major responsibility of parents is to teach responsibility. On the Lowest level, responsibility is obedience At its next highest level, it becomes morality, or acknowledging That our actions affect others, and we care about how our actions impact others. At the highest level, we give service to society. Richard and Linda Eyre

3. How do you compare?

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. George Bernard Shaw

Individuals should not go from being totally Dependent on parents to total independence--- It’s too lonely for most. Instead they should go into interdependence. Eric Fromm

Mental health is the ability to love and to work Sigmund Freud

Psychological freedom is as important as physical freedom Developing relationships Making commitment to work Setting goals and achieving them Making important decisions that affect your life

All of these decisions are everyone’s own RESPONSIBILITY. Responsibility means doing what you must do and being accountable for the decisions that your make. It is directly related to freedom: The more you have, the more responsibility you must take. Responsibility is sometimes viewed as the opposite of freedom, but indeed, it is the result of freedom.

4. School Configuration Principal Teacher Student Parent Directs the school, keeps it safe, encourages excellence. Instruct students until they become proficient, respect students Attends school, does assignments, studies, respect teachers Supports school staff. Provides materials, helps as needed

5. Family Configuration Father Mother Parents Children Financial support, housing, clothing, life lessons, vacations, guidance etc. Financial support (if needed/wanted), nurtures, organizes household, meals Keep children safe, protect, enrich, teach work. Support/appreciate parents, obey rules, chores, attend school/assignments, curfew, help siblings, keep demands in line.

With Rights and privileges come responsibility Right Affection and love of other family member Fair share of family goods and services Your own possessions Privacy Consideration and cooperation Responsibility Extend affection and love to others Take only your share of things Respect the possessions of others Give others privacy Have considerations and cooperate

6. Ways to Promote Happy Relations with Parents Try to put yourself in their place of your parents. Express your affection for your parents and mean it Show pride in your parents in front of your friends Do your share of the work around the house Do your best with the educational opportunities.

Ways to Promote Happy Relations with Parents cont… Be loyal and honest Extend your parents the same courtesy you would to persons outside the family. Ask your parents to let you share in decision on such matters as your curfew, how you spend your time, etc. Communicate with your parents! Practice finding the good in your parents!