What are some of the most important skills a child can learn? We all know the importance of doing well in school or being a good person. Those are important, of course. However, a skill that can be vitally important to a child’s future success is understanding the power of commitments. When a child understands that following through on their commitments means they will actually do what they promise when they promise it, that child has learned something that can benefit them for the rest of their lives.
It is an unfortunate truth that kids and teens often say they’ll do something just so parents will stop pestering them. They may believe at the time they will follow through, but it can be a low priority for them, one they may not accomplish. Whether it’s something as simple as coming home late from a party or sleeping until the afternoon when they wanted to get up and accomplish something, every parent knows that children often procrastinate. On the other hand, children who can make a commitment and actually do what they say they’re going to do can give them a leg up in just about every area of their lives.
The Value of Following Through
A teen who understands that making a commitment matters recognizes that it’s not just about telling somebody what they want to hear but something they’re actually going to do. Whether it’s getting to school on time, doing the work necessary to get better grades, or staying faithful in a relationship, understanding that their commitments have value can be an extremely powerful realization.
Teens who can promise to do something and then follow through on it are teens who can handle more responsibility in their lives. If they want to go to a party and their parents say they must be home by 11 p.m., when a child actually gets home by 11 p.m., parents notice and may start to have more confidence and trust in them. This, in turn, can lead to giving them more responsibility and autonomy.
This can also help a child’s future success in numerous ways. A child who can make a commitment and actually accomplish what they’ve promised is more likely to do well in their careers. After all, employers tend to appreciate people who they can trust to deliver what they say they’ll deliver. This can lead to career advancements and an adult with inner strength and confidence.
Building Self-Confidence and Inner Strength
When we can help empower our children to understand the value of actually following through on their commitments, it can build self-esteem and a sense of true confidence in their abilities. One of the benefits of being able to make commitments and follow through on them is that it can help reinforce a belief in themselves and their inner strength.
Teens who believe they have the power to achieve their goals are likely to be teens that envision what they want in life and believe they can get it! When teens feel their own power and believe in themselves, they tend to dream bigger and go for those dreams. These are teens whose inner self-confidence can help them develop a drive to succeed. Understanding the value of making a promise and actually following through can make a world of difference in helping a child prepare for a successful future.
