There is a lot of talk and concern about our youngsters today and the problems they become involved in and can we avoid them in the future. I think if we start early in trying to teach them responsibility we can be successful. For instance, we need to start early in teaching them they can’t have everything they want. When they start picking up had words, they need to be corrected. Some parents think it’s “cute” when their little one utters a bad word. Start early in giving them spiritual training in life. Take them to Sunday School and Church, and don’t just drop them off, stay yourself as well.

If they are doing wrong, then tell them it is wrong when you are correcting bad habits. Be careful about what you let them read or listen to as a child. Make them responsible b y making them pick up their own things and do as many things for themselves as they can. A big help in raising a responsible child is to keep the home atmosphere warm and pleasant, a happy home atmo- sphere goes a long way. If the child is always asking for money to spend, make him earn it by doing chores or by getting a job such as cutting grass.

We have an epidemic of children with bad eating habits, see that his desires and cravings for food, drink, and comfort are satisfied, but only in moderation. Also make sure we as parents are setting a good example for them to follow. Support your child but only when he is right, and make sure he knows you won’t back him when he is wrong. As parents we need to understand that we have to accept our responsibility for our children’s actions until he or she is of age to accept them for themselves. If you can take and implement just a few of these suggestions in your child’s life, then you should be able to prepare yourself for a life of satisfaction with your child as they grow into adulthood. Most of all we need to remember that teaching responsibility begins with ourselves, a good example is still the best teacher.