Willie Brown Elementary Topic of the Month: Responsibility Counselor’s Corner Willie Brown Elementary Lisa Eubanks Counselor pic of the Month: Respect We’re not raising kids – we’re raising future adults. “When learning is connected to something truly purposeful, it can’t help but kindle motivation. Children feel honored to be included in real work that includes real challenges. If we pay attention, we see that’s just what they pretend to do when they play.” Laura Grace Weldon Topic of the Month: Responsibility What does it mean to be responsible? We all have responsibilities at home, at school, at work, for ourselves, and in the community. Teaching children to be responsible does not happen over night, but together we can help them learn this important skill! Being part of a family means doing chores and cleaning up after yourself. Responsibility at school means paying attention, asking for help, and turning in your best work. Responsibility to yourself means eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising. Being responsible in the community entails following rules and laws, not littering, and being a good neighbor. Kids who are allowed to take on responsibilities at a young age benefit in great ways. By giving directions and providing feedback, children learn to take constructive criticism and be coachable. Responsibilities also increase confidence. Giving children chores that might be a little tricky demonstrate trust, provide high expectations, and allow them to see what they are capable of. If we’re always hovering (like a helicopter parent) or clearing any obstacles from their paths (like a lawnmower parent) our children will think they’re not capable and we don’t trust them. When children feel capable, they are more likely to take on greater responsibilities and work harder at school and at home. Research shows children who start chores as preschoolers are more likely to be successful adults (educational attainment, meeting career goals, and having stronger relationships). Working on chores as a family builds stronger bonds, teaches delayed gratification, provides opportunities for deep conversations, gives purpose. Responsibility is a gift, not a chore! For more strategies, ideas, and information, text the message @browntools to the number 81010. We also have a Love and Logic program coming up on October 19 from 8:30-9:30am. This is a free presentation from our Love and Logic parenting expert, Vicki Evans Williams. We hope you can come!

What does it mean to be safe. How do we teach our children to keep What does it mean to be safe? How do we teach our children to keep their minds and bodies safe? As much as we wish we could put a magic force field around our kids, we have to send them into the world with as many ‘tools’ as possible to make safe decisions. Growing up is hard; resisting peer pressure, avoiding dangerous situations, being aware of your surroundings, and knowing what do in an emergency are huge responsibilities. It’s important to teach our kids how to avoid danger, but we don’t want to paralyze them with fear, either. While there are certainly perils and risks, the world is a beautiful place full of wonders and most humans are kind and wish us no harm. As parents, we need to keep the conversation going as naturally as possible. Just like talking about the importance of seat belts in our cars, when we’re on the way to the park we can chat about what to do if a stranger talks to you. Before you go to the store, remind your children who to go to for help if they can’t find you (a lady with kids, a police officer, a worker in uniform). If you’re leaving older kids home on their own for a little while, remind them where emergency phone numbers are and what to do if someone comes to the door. On your way to a party, take a few minutes to tell your children that their bodies belong to them and what to do if they ever feel uncomfortable in a situation. Before tablet or smart phone time, talk about never meeting someone from online (pinkpony43 may not be who they say they are). And, if something horrible does happen, get help for your child right away. As much as we want them to be safe, it is not their fault if the worst things we fear come to be. For more information about safe kids, visit: www.childwelfare.gov, www.stopitnow.org, www.safekids.org, www.parents.com, www.kidshealth.org