Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Teaching Responsibility and other Parenting Advice Needed

Finally, a day of nothing much to do! It seems the past few days has been running around doing something. Not that what we did was bad or overwhelming per say but it's nice to have those days where we don't have to do too much. The only thing we have to do today is go to Church so the boys can practice being in their Christmas skit for Sunday.

Since Hubby has to work the wife of one of our pastors (LOL I almost put one of our pastor's wives. Would have had you wonder what kind of church I go to huh? LOL) is going to pick up the boys for their dress rehearsal.

My oldest son has a couple lines he says in the play but he lost the paper that tells him what he is supposed to say. I know I probably should have put it away myself but I thought since he is 10 he could be responsible with it. I guess that is not the case. Then he was supposed to ask for another one last Sunday but he forgot to ask. So hopefully he will remember to get it this time around. Ugh I just don't know what to do with him.

He doesn't even seem to be worried about it. That is only till I mention it. I know this little skit isn't super important but I want to teach him responsibility. Is it just the age or am I really doing something wrong here? Any suggestion? I would gladly listen to any. Maybe I am just over thinking this or expecting too much from him?

It's not like we do everything for the boys. In fact I am always trying to get them to do things on their own like working out their own arguments, having them pay for things and counting money, approaching people (have done this at a early age so they wouldn't be shy like I was/am) and asking them questions or what not, doing their school work and only asking when they need help and so on. This summer we are even letting our oldest (Would do it with my youngest too but he doesn't want to) go with my dad to Arizona for a couple weeks. Also this summer my Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law are going to show them how to work their corn stand so the boys can take it over and run it for them eventually. So it's not as though we have been coddling them.

If you have/had a ten year old please tell me if this is just a phase? He seems to be less responsible about things now then he was before, he likes to think he knows better than everyone else and doesn't seem to know where to draw the line with sarcasm. The thing though is I don't think he tries to be that way. I really think he is oblivious to it. I know the sarcasm is our fault (us being parents) because we tend to be sarcastic ourselves and I know that part I need to work on before I can work on it with him. Everything else though I just don't know what else I can do. If you have advice please post it. As I am at a loss.

2 comments:

Julie said...

I think it probably depends on the kid. My son, Josh, just recently turned 11. He's the type that doesn't lose things, etc. Very responsible. Then there is Alicia (age 9), who is a TOTAL space cadet. She would lose her head if it were not attached. She isn't trying to be naughty or anything, but she gets distracted so easily and is so forgetful. We are always having to remind her to do things.

Hope things get better soon!

http://scrapgrrl.com

Jody said...

I agree he isn't trying to be naughty either. He shows responsibility other ways like doing his school work without being told and stuff like that but other things like this skit thing, or having to be told when to take a shower (even though its been the same routine since practically birth), and other things like that. So I am just not understanding what the deal is I guess. It can be so aggrevating. Don't get me wrong he's a great kid. I just don't get it I guess.