Let's take some responsibilities...

Next stop... 

RESPONSIBILITY

Helping our children take ownership of their lives

WHAT IS IT?

Responsibility is the ability to take ownership of both accomplishments and mistakes. 

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

"The moment you take responsibility for everything in your life is the moment you can change anything in your life." - Hal Elrod

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE

*Follows through on promises and commitments

* Is dependable

* Does what needs to be done without being asked

* Accepts blame (does not make excuses or blame others  for mistakes)

*Does the right thing, even when no one is watching

How you can help your child

1. Model it

The most powerful way to teach responsibility is to model responsibility for your child. If you make a promise to someone, keep it. If you make a commitment, stick to it until the end (even if you don't feel like it). Verbalize these situations for your child. You could say, "I'd really like to stay home today, but I promised our neighbors I would help them with their garden."

2. Let them help you

Young children often want nothing more than to help you (cook, clean, fold laundry). Even though it may take 3 times longer to get something done, let them help you. Letting them help you builds your child's confidence and self-worth and teaches them how to do chores. Be careful not to be overly critical they do the job-- this can undo the positive experience.

3. Chores, chores, chores
Age-appropriate chores are an important part of building responsibility. Before assigning chores, be sure to model each task for your child. Start small, and gradually add tasks as they get older. Make a visual list or chart so your child can see what needs to be done each day. 

4. Help them understand consequences
Each choice we make has a consequence- positive or negative. Being responsible means that we try to make choices that are going to give us the best consequences. Use examples from your life to help reinforce this. You could say, "I chose to pack my lunch last night, and now I don't feel rushed this morning." Give your child opportunities to make good choices, but don't rescue them when they forget their responsibilities. If they are responsible for bringing their band instrument to school and they forget, don't bring it to them. Let them pay the consequence this time and chances are, they will be more responsible the next time. 

We all have to deal with responsibilities, but how many of us take them seriously?
Children may have a difficult time taking them seriously, but adults have to deal with these important ones. Most of us don't even take them seriously, prefer to have others deal with their responsibilities. But at some point we are all responsible for someone or something!
Don't try and run away from them! 

"Responsibility is the price of freedom."- Elbert Hubbard.

~Bella 

It couldn't get any worse...

Let's keep in mind that Christmas has ended, indeed, but it's still around the time when people decide that it's time to meet the parents! 

In any serious relationship, meeting the parents is part of the engagement, it shows both partners how much you care and deeply love them. As happy it may sound, meeting parents isn't easy as pie! 
Somehow the holiday season is well known for being the moment to finally meet your partner's family for the first time. 

If you've already encounter this type of scenario, you already know that making a good first impression is key, sadly, a slight wrong turn may lead to a real disaster! No one wants to make the unfortunate mistake, especially if you are truly thinking about building, growing and nurturing your relationship with your beloved one! 

Little one, don't be shy! Last time I checked, awkward silence isn't anyone's cup of tea. Try to make conversation, keep similar interest flowing around, don't let silence break in or else awkwardness becomes part of the moment spent with his or her parents. 

Little two, don't try and talk about sensitive subjects such as politics or religions! Not everyone is open minded, not everyone can talk about these subjects without yelling or proving their opinion is the right one. There's nothing wrong debating, on the contrary, I believe it's always fun if the other person doesn't get offended. Obviously, if you are meeting anyone for the first time, keep your opinion to yourself, no need to make their parents hate you because you have different beliefs. 

Little three, don't get wasted. No one wants to meet a drunk person, talk or even seen one, not the first or second or third time! It's purely disrespectful for the family, and playing it safe is usually key.

Little four, if you don't know it already... It's always polite to bring a bottle, flowers, something to someone's house when invited, especially if they are strangers or important people. When you are going to meet your beloved's family bring with you a small gift. It will bring a little plus on your side. It could honestly be a box of chocolate, a bottle of red wine, a scented candle, a bouquet... It doesn't just show you appreciate the effort they put in by accepting to meet you, and out of respect, but it also shows you put the effort as well.

Little five, be yourself and have fun. Don't take yourself too seriously! No one likes to see stuck up people sitting across from them. It's just awkward in any situation, unless the parents are stuck up people as well then you are good to go. Usually, you are just putting yourself a lot of pressure, stress and anxiety for nothing cause half the time no matter what happens, you aren't in a relationship with them but their child so... Don't forget to show your loved one you love them, don't forget to be polite but not too stuck up, and beyond everything, don't forget that you are good enough for their child so they can only love you! 


Now, obviously, you have to know that no matter what happens, no matter who the family is, if you are the guy be careful of her father and if you are the woman be careful of his mother! But still, enjoy the time! 

"That nervous feeling when you're about to meet his parents for the first time."

~Bella