Ways to teach kids responsibility.....
By snoopy04
@snoopy04 (718)
United States
April 11, 2008 10:05am CST
I have started teaching my kids responsibility but my in-laws and a friend of think that it wont really teach them anything at all. I have wanted a garden in my backyard for a long time and my husband and I were finally able to make that happen. So we have decided to let our kids help by watering the soil, and picking the weeds out of it, and once fruits and vegetables start growing they can help me pick them to. I also went out and bought them each a strawberry plant so they could grow their own strawberries. They are all excited and love to help me take care of the garden and their strawberries. I think this is a fun way to show my kids what can happen with a little hard work and the rewards or benefits that come from working and taking care of something even if it is just a garden. My autistic son really enjoys it and its a fun way for me to connect with him. It calms him down and he is so intrested in the leaves and how much it grows. It is teaching him how to take care of something and in alot of ways giving him some independence and freedom.
My in-laws seem to think its silly and that it wont teach them anything at all. A friend of mine cant seem to understand why I even want a garden in the first place. To her its to much work and you get to dirty. She says that why we have supermarkets instead.
Yes we do have supermarkets but when my kids get so excited about their strawberries or the tomatoes that we are growing the hard work is worth it. This is a great way to teach my kids about eating healthy and trying fruits and veggies. My kids have never even wantee to trey a strawberry until they started picking them off of their strawberry plant. Now they love starwberries and will choose that over a candy bar or cookie.
Its a fun healthy activity for the whole family and I think I ma raising better kids in the process.
What do you think, is it just a waste of time or a way to teach a child what happens when you work hard at something you love to do?
5 responses
@yoj118 (346)
• Philippines
12 Apr 08
I totally disagree with your in-laws and friedntelling there's nothing your children could learn from that and it's a silly thing to do...
You are actually doing a great job as a mom!! You don't just provide them a worthwhile activity that all the members of the family could enjoy, you are even instilling them the value of hard work and responsibility as early as they are now, and the beauty of life and everything that grows..
That's a wonderful idea to come up with..As you've said it even help them to love and prefer fruits and veggies over sweets..moreover, the activity is also a good way of bonding with your kids particularly with your special child.
I want to try it with my children perhaps when they get a little older...
Don't be affected with other people tell you..You're doing great!!
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
11 Apr 08
I think that you are doing the right thing. Your kids will respect things more. It will make them realize that it takes work to get good things. They will have fun watching things grow and will appreciate it more. They will be more willing to try new things because they planted it. Good luck with the garden and don't worry about what others say. The garden food is much better than the stores.
@Kecia08 (554)
• United States
11 Apr 08
I totally agree with you. Allowing your children to take care of plants is a bit responsibility, and the pride they will feel when the fruits and veggies start to grow will be a great lesson. Running out to the grocery store to get the same kinds of foods isn't as rewarding...it's like taking the easy way out. Hard work, responsibility, and patience will both be instilled in your children by having them grow their own foods.
Kudos to you for doing this! Do not listen to what other's say...You are doing wonderful at teaching your children!
@goodhappens (671)
• United States
11 Apr 08
I think it is a wonderful idea and yes it teaches them that you can reap what you sow. Keep up the gardening with your kids.
Some ppl dont like to get "dirty" but in truth when you have your hands in the dirt it helps to ground the soul and get one back to nature and see what is really important in life. Good honest work and getting a little dirty never hurt anyone, congrats on a great idea and good luck on fruit of your's and your kids labor.
@tessah (6617)
• United States
11 Apr 08
it is absolutely positively NOT a waste of time, and the things you are teaching your children with this will last them their entire lives. i too, have gardens.. flowers, vegetables, etc. my 7 year old, has her own space to plat whatever she choses, and we go to the nursery and buy the seeds and plants she wants to put in. the joy on her face after shes dug into the dirt, gotten filthy, planted her own things.. and then watches them grow and produce, is priceless. we have a regular morning routine where we will make the "rounds" so to speak to see whats new sprouting up or what progress is going on with other things. its not just gardening where these lessons can be taught, that truly need to be taught. my daughter also has pets shes responsible for caring for, which is also a fun thing that teaches responsibility. another perk with you getting into the dirt and making things grow as a family, is that youre building what will one day be cherished memories for your children thatll be with them long after yer gone.. when its their kids and grandkids they are telling the stories to about when they were young. ignore your inlaws and your friend, youre doing wonders for your family they arent able to grasp. have fun in the dirt, and luck with your harvests!!
