Mindful Monday Word-Commitment
This weeks word is, “commitment” it’s a powerful word. What comes to mind for you? Commitment in a relationship, a Leadership role, a work place, a favor, even a promise? We all make commitments, do we keep them? Many times one may make a commitment in the thrill of the conversation at hand, or the excitement of joining or planning an event. As an adult, we learn that making a commitment needs to be followed through so that you’re not the wolf in the story. You remember the story about the boy who called wolf? He fooled the town so many times that when he was truly in need, nobody came because of the past occurrences. Not only did nobody come to his aid, but, this was now his reputation, his character.
How can we teach our children that when you make a commitment, you then must follow through. To a child, the word promise might be more understood, that when you make a promise, it’s important that you keep it. As an adult, we choose the word commitment. In my opinion they are one in the same. You would not want to break a promise, right? You would not want to break a commitment either. After all, we are responsible for the choices that we make. Let’s teach our children to be responsible for their own choices, too.
Tips to Help Teach Commitment to a Child:
Explain commitment on their level so they have a better understanding
Perhaps your child want to join a Team. Explain that they will need to practice, attend the events and do their best. Even when they do not want to. Or, if they want a family pet, explain the work that it will take, like walking, feeding, and the easy part, loving
Making a commitment means that you are responsible for this activity or project
Be sure your child understands that they are responsible for whatever it may be
Allow your child to see something that you are committed to
This could be something as simple as having dinner on the table at a certain time, or your commitment for self care. Allow your child to see what this looks like and how it brings you joy
Have a clear idea of what your child commits to
If your child wants to commit to something that you’re not familiar with, investigate it and see if it’s a good fit for your child, or if this is an opportunity for your child to learn, many times a new activity my not be their cup of tea, please, allow them to learn this so that they grow and learn from it, there is always a lesson in there. Our character Responsible Rabbit has a free resource below which you can print out here and share with your child to help them with learning that a commitment is part of being a responsible person. There is a lot of happiness when you see your commitment to it’s full impact, so encourage your child to stay committed to whatever it may be, they will feel the pride in this accomplishment and learn to be responsible, too.
“TELL me and I forget, TEACH me and I remember, INVOLVE me and learn” Benjamin Franklin
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