How to Teach Kids to Accept Responsibility for Their Actions

"It's Your Fault!"

Your daughter is running around the house, falls, and then blames you because she tripped over her always untied shoelaces. Though it's maddening to be the fall guy, don't take it personally. Just ask, "What can we do so that doesn't happen again?" says Dr. Sossin. Listen to her ideas and then make a suggestion of your own like, "Why don't we practice making a double knot so your shoes won't keep coming untied?" Do this often enough and she'll start looking for a solution when things go wrong -- rather than playing the blame game.