Fault and Responsibility

 Dear Parents,
As parents and educators two questions often arise. Whose fault is this? Whose responsibility is this? The late Dr. Scott Peck, psychiatrist and author, said people tend to gravitate toward one of two directions when something goes wrong. Either they blame themselves for everything (neurosis), or they seek someone else to blame (character disorder).  Neither of these is healthy, yet they happen frequently.
How many times have we heard politicians say something like “Mistakes were made”? Really? Were made (passive verb)? Is nobody taking responsibility? Rather than trying to figure out who’s at fault, be the one who comes up with a solution. Take responsibility, be a problem solver, and your children will learn to do the same.
Recently, at the end of our early morning care as I was about to dismiss the children, I noticed some toys had not been put away. I stopped all the children and asked who was playing with them. Turns out a young child, no longer in the room, was at fault. Immediately, an older student volunteered to pick up the toys and put them away for him. She stepped up and took responsibility for something that was not her fault.  It’s no wonder every other student in her class likes her and respects her so much. That’s what we want to see in our children. That’s character.
It doesn’t happen naturally. It’s modeled and taught by the significant adults in our children’s lives. Let’s join in teaching our children to take responsibility even with things that are not their fault.
In His Service,
Tim Miesner
Principal




 Dear Parents,
As parents and educators two questions often arise. Whose fault is this? Whose responsibility is this? The late Dr. Scott Peck, psychiatrist and author, said people tend to gravitate toward one of two directions when something goes wrong. Either they blame themselves for everything (neurosis), or they seek someone else to blame (character disorder).  Neither of these is healthy, yet they happen frequently.
How many times have we heard politicians say something like “Mistakes were made”? Really? Were made (passive verb)? Is nobody taking responsibility? Rather than trying to figure out who’s at fault, be the one who comes up with a solution. Take responsibility, be a problem solver, and your children will learn to do the same.
Recently, at the end of our early morning care as I was about to dismiss the children, I noticed some toys had not been put away. I stopped all the children and asked who was playing with them. Turns out a young child, no longer in the room, was at fault. Immediately, an older student volunteered to pick up the toys and put them away for him. She stepped up and took responsibility for something that was not her fault.  It’s no wonder every other student in her class likes her and respects her so much. That’s what we want to see in our children. That’s character.
It doesn’t happen naturally. It’s modeled and taught by the significant adults in our children’s lives. Let’s join in teaching our children to take responsibility even with things that are not their fault.
In His Service,
Tim Miesner
Principal