SMART PARENTING: Teach them to be resourceful

Being resourceful can enhance one’s value. Resourceful people are seen as reliable and able to solve most issues without bothering others. They don’t easily give up and seem to have numerous options to keep things moving.

One of the joys of parenting is to see our kids taking the initiative without being asked.  To achieve that, children need to be resourceful.

GIVE THEM WORK
Kids should be encouraged to do basic chores around the house. Giving them work is indeed a good step towards creating a resourceful kid. There are many things they can and should do. In the kitchen, they can help with the food preparations. You can also ask them to set or clear the tables and wash up their own utensils.

In their rooms, they should always make the bed before leaving for school. Once a week, they must clean the room. They have to ensure that it is neat and tidy all the time. Other chores include watering the plants, washing the toilet or helping out in the backyard.

Experts generally agree that it’s a good idea to let children do house chores as these help to build a sense of responsibilities. Parents should expose their kids to work during their growing years.   

LET THEM THINK
In tackling those chores, problems may crop up. These problems will present an opportunity for them to come up with a solution. Creative thinking skill is a prerequisite for being a resourceful person. When faced with a problem, a creative person will take it as a challenge to come up with workable options.

If we don’t expose our kids to work and problems, they may miss the opportunity to apply the thinking skills. It would be a great waste. As their time with us is not that much, we should grab all opportunities to train them to think creatively.

There are many other ways to achieve this objective besides asking them to help out with the chores. For example, involve them in the family decision-making process.  Seek their input and opinions as much as possible. Respect their requests and wishes. Ask them to brainstorm on possible options. In the long run, they will feel that their opinions count and their thoughts, valued.

LEARN FROM MISTAKES
People who do more work will also make more mistakes.  Again, this is actually good because we learn from our mistakes. Children need to experience this too. Mistakes are indicators on how to improve something
Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players of our times, once said: “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot 26 times, and missed. I’ve failed numerous times in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Clearly, making mistakes is part and parcel of learning.  Hence, parents must not get too upset when their kids make mistakes. On the contrary, they should be worried if their kids are perfect. That may mean they have not done enough.  It may also mean that they are missing out on learning from mistakes in their early years.

START FROM HOME
Creating resourceful kids begin at home. They learn to be resourceful to complete the tasks at hand. They learn to think when solving problems.Hence, parents need not worry about pushing their kids to work harder.

Let’s not miss this opportunity for them to experience all these in the safe environment of home. Parents just need to empower them and be supportive at the same time. Rest assured that these efforts will go a long way towards creating a more creative and resourceful person in their adult years.

Read more: Smart Parenting

photo source: creativityinstitute
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