How To Teach Kids Commitment And Follow Through

(This is Part 2 of an article about what to do when kids want to quit. To read Part 1, click HERE)

Are there ways to prevent kids from saying they want to quit?

When parents ask me this, I offer these suggestions.

1) PROACTIVE MEASURES

  • Let your child participate in trial classes or activities that don’t require a long term commitment to see how they like it.
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  • Discuss the importance of commitment before you enroll a child in an activity, especially if they are joining a team. Also make sure they know they can always talk to you if they have any problems, and you will help them.
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2) TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OTHER WAYS TO TEACH COMMITMENT AND FOLLOW THROUGH​
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There is more than one way for a child to learn to stick with something and follow through.
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A) Natural Learning

Consider these examples of commitment:

Your child is having trouble building a tower and it keeps collapsing. Your child keeps working at it until the tower remains standing.
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Your child is struggling in school. They work with a tutor or start spending more time on their school work and start getting better grades.

An effective response is to praise your child for how hard they worked and how they stuck with it until they figured it out.
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Notice this is different from praising the end result (a standing tower or better grades). Praising your child’s effort helps reinforce and instill the value of commitment and follow through.
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B) Structured Learning

Here are experiences you can provide your child to learn the value of commitment and follow through:

  • Spend time together playing a difficult game or figuring out a challenging puzzle.
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  • Volunteer together regularly for an organization that is important to your child or your family.
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  • Have your child complete chores or take care of a pet.
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  • Model the behavior you want to see in your child.

 

You can’t completely prevent the situation where a child says they want to quit, but by using these approaches, you can create a variety of ways to teach your child how to stick with something and experience the satisfaction and pride that results.

You also want to leave the door open for your child to bring any concerns to you, so if they have problems with an activity, you can help them find a solution. For more about how to do that, click HERE to read What To Do When Your Child Wants To Quit.

 

Take the Next Step

Parenting is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. Every parent deserves guidance tailored to their unique needs. Here are some ways I can support your journey:

1) Get free parenting tips - Click HERE for valuable advice tailored to real-life parenting challenges.

2) Explore parenting classes - Click HERE to discover classes designed to empower and inspire you.

3) Schedule a free, confidential consultation - Click HERE to connect for a one-on-one conversation about your family. 

I believe every family deserves guidance that honors your individual needs, and I’m passionate about helping parents find practical, meaningful solutions that help their family thrive. Let’s work together to create positive and lasting changes for your family.

 
 
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