Many child and teen behavior specialists insist teaching responsibility can be the solution for eliminating or reducing negative behavior which is the main goal of an integrity center for teens. Responsibility is at the heart of almost all programs designed to curb negative behavior by that in a daily or a residential integrity center.
By placing special emphasis on responsibility teens are being taught about more than just taking responsibility for their own actions. Responsibility at a teen integrity center also entails giving the teen more chores or responsibilities at home and school. Try some of these suggestions in your home to get maximum results in adjusting your teen’s behavior.
- Assign Daily Chores. This is one of the greatest responsibilities needed in all teen’s home life. Even though they do have other obligations as far as school goes, they should be expected to complete at least an hour of chores at home each day. Practiced at an integrity center, this has become a proven tactic to modifying behaviors of already unruly children and teens.
- Encourage Caring for Animals. Whether it be a fish, dog, cat, or even plant it is essential that teens learn the consequences of not taking care of something that is important to them. By no means is it suggesting allowing an animal to die, but as a parent you should lead your teen to believe that without their care the animal will not be safe. This gives them a reason to take responsibility of a life depending on them.
- Insist an Outside Odd Job. Mowing the lawn or weekend babysitting is an excellent chore for all teens. Not only will they learn that you have obligations in the real world, they will also be rewarded by an outside source. Payment for good deeds is something commonly practiced in an integrity center giving it incredible credibility.
- Hold Them Responsible. As with young children, it is important that a teen be held responsible for both their good and bad decisions. Although most agree that teens will have plenty of both, it is urged that parents try to make a bigger deal out of the good than the bad. When scolding a teen for bad keep it simple telling them only what is necessary without allowing it to drag out into a long discussion. You want the attention to be as short as possible as some teens seek attention whether good or bad.