Excuses

[Hunni Bee]

I have a 6 year old DCG. She's well-behaved, although on the bossy/tattle-y side. Lately though, for everything she's done wrong or didn't go her way, she has a string of excuses for it.

A couple weeks ago, we had this conversation:

DCG: (as she's lined up to go home on the van) Ms. --, you didn't help me practice my sight words and I won't be able go to the sight word party.

Me: [DCG], you needed to tell me that a long time ago. It's time to go.

DCG: But you asked me to sit down.

Me: Yes, and when I was sitting here helping everyone with homework, you were playing with something out of your backpack. Those are YOUR sight words, and YOU want to go to the party. That's your responsibility.

DCG: (Continues on with a list of but's a mile long).


She did it again today when I asked her why she hadn't cleaned up yet.

Its not a major problem, but how do I get her to understand some things are her responsibility and it's not everyone else's fault when she doesn't do them. I don't think I've explained it very well, and it continues.

[daycare]

I have a 6 year old DCG. She's well-behaved, although on the bossy/tattle-y side. Lately though, for everything she's done wrong or didn't go her way, she has a string of excuses for it.

A couple weeks ago, we had this conversation:

DCG: (as she's lined up to go home on the van) Ms. --, you didn't help me practice my sight words and I won't be able go to the sight word party.

Me: [DCG], you needed to tell me that a long time ago. It's time to go.

DCG: But you asked me to sit down.

Me: Yes, and when I was sitting here helping everyone with homework, you were playing with something out of your backpack. Those are YOUR sight words, and YOU want to go to the party. That's your responsibility.

DCG: (Continues on with a list of but's a mile long).


She did it again today when I asked her why she hadn't cleaned up yet.

Its not a major problem, but how do I get her to understand some things are her responsibility and it's not everyone else's fault when she doesn't do them. I don't think I've explained it very well, and it continues.

ugh this never seems to go away...getting a child to be accountable for their actions and decisions never seems to stop at any age.

I say you have to let them fall on their own. Point out when they fall.

DCG: YOu chose not to practice your sight words, so now you will have to suffer the consequences of NOT getting to go to a fun party. I hope you take this as a lesson to make priorities (well explain to a 6 year old). What is more important to you? Playing with your back pack or going to the sight word party?

I deal with this every day with my own kids. If you don't do this, then you don't get this..

In the end my motto always states....kids who don't listed, don't get to have any fun. if YOU chose not to listen, then that is your decision. Learn to make better decisions.

I spend a lot of time with the preschoolers on how to make good decisions....that is why we have the decision making mat....when you learn to make good decisions, you get to be apart of our group....