Responsibility

 

We were at a rally, amused because she was trying to pick up her mother's handbag. Hello. Grow up, get a J-O-B and buy your own.

Little kids want to work.

“He’s your brother. Let him help you.”

“She’s your sister. Go with her.”

Older brothers and sisters think they are a nuisance. Unfortunately, parents too, because of the internet. They cannot scroll their phones in peace without little ‘pests’ pestering them. Has human development come to this, calling kids pests?

They just want responsibility, and it’s a word we can introduce early in life when they are still pliable. Remember we lose them as soon as we give them their first phone. It’s tax time, which reminds me of a little girl and her father. I was at a friend’s house, who is an accountant and the father had come to do his taxes. She saw me sweeping and picked up the dust pan against the wall. She bent and collected the dust. It took longer, because I would sweep a little bit, and the dust-buster was there with the dust pan. The father looked at me and mouthed ‘thank you.’

We might think it’s too early to use the word responsibility, but it’s not. Small kids might turn it into titi or ponsi, but you get the picture. That is how nicknames start. Kids hear adults calling someone Patricia. They think it is Ci Ci, and the name sticks. Your family has interesting stories about that.

Small kids want responsibility like everyone else so you can create some, depending on their height and tiny hands.

1. This is your toy box. It’s your responsibility to put them here after playing.

2. This is your drawer down here. It’s your responsibility to fold your things like this and put them in here.

3. These are your teeth. It’s your responsibility to brush them, otherwise the dentist will be after you.

4. It’s your responsibility to say excuse me and thank you.

5. It’s your responsibility to take mummy’s computer bag to the bedroom, when she comes home from work.

Nonqaba waka Msimang

Executive Blogger