Why & How to Discourage Blame Shifting in Children

Blame shifting is a tactic that many kids employ to push the blame on another person or an external circumstance. It might seem cute or innocent, but encouraging this behavior is not advisable. Mentioned within this article are ways in which you can discourage blame shifting in children.

Highlights

● To discourage blame shifting, enforce consequences for undone tasks.

● Gently remind you children to take responsibility for their actions.

● Teach them the quality of empathy, so that they can consider other people’s feelings.

Every action has a reaction. It is one of the most important life lessons that we can give our children. And it is essential to their character development that they know how to take the responsibility for it. ‘It wasn’t my fault’ is never going to let your child take the responsibility of the glass he broke. Blame shifting is a tactic that many kids employ to push the blame on another person or an external circumstance.

Here are some ways in which you can discourage blame shifting in children and teach them to take responsibility for their actions.

● If your child fails to take responsibility for his / her actions, gently bring it to his / her attention. Never let this pass without a mention about what he did and why it’s not good to shirk accountability like this.

● Assign age appropriate chores to your kids. If undone, enforce consequences. This will teach them that every action needs to be completed or they will have to face the consequences.

● If you punish your child, follow through with them. Otherwise your ignorance will make them think that they can get away with punishments without any consequences.

● Kids have a tendency to think very little about others. Teach them to consider other people’s feelings and discourage self-pity.

● If your kid gets into a fight with someone else, hold them accountable for their behavior, even if they didn't start the fight. This sends the message that everyone in the fight will be held responsible for their actions instead of focusing on who started it.

Allowing blame shifting discourages ownership of actions, which is not a desirable trait. So use these tips to help your kid grow into a responsible human being.

For more parenting tips, talk to a Jiva doctor. Dial 0129-4040404 or click on ‘Speak to a Doctor’ under the CONNECT tab in Jiva Health App.