Respect and Responsibility

October 3rd, 2012

by Katrina Brooke

By the age of ten, kids ought to be employable. That’s right! Before they graduate from elementary school, each should possess the basic skills required to succeed in an entry-level job.

I’m not advocating child labor! I want kids to have the luxury of being kids. What concerns me greatly, however, is that far too many reach adulthood lacking the skills and attitudes required for success in life.

Listed below are three practical tips for avoiding this:

• Help your child discover the skills they’ll need.

When visiting restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses, encourage your child to ask managers what’s required for an entry-level job in that business. Help your child make a list of these skills and attitudes.

• Expect your child to learn these skills.

Many of these valuable abilities can be taught by expecting our kids to complete chores and to help us around the house. Example: Teach your child to prepare, serve, and clean up after meals. Starting at age six or seven, expect them to do this at least once per week. Another example: Working together with your child, learn how to change the oil in your car rather than having it done at the service station.

• Place a heavy emphasis on respect and responsibility.

Read my book Parenting Kids To Become the People Employers Really Want and America Desperately Needs to see how daily parenting affects whether our kids will thrive…or take a dive…in the workforce.

There’s no doubt that a good education is critically important. Unless this education involves more than book facts, we’re missing our mark.

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

Dr. Charles Fay

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