How do parents stop the excuses they hear from their children?

First of all parents must not be modeling the same behaviors in the home. I can recall students blaming their parents for not having an assignment. I would often ask them, ""Who is in second grade, you or your mom?"" Yes, moms and dads should help children be organized, but ultimately such things will become each child's responsibility. Some would say excuses are lies we tell to avoid dealing with unpleasant truths about personal behaviors and choices we make. There is really only one way to uproot excuse making, and that is to tackle head on the real issues behind the excuses with honesty and intentionality. Parents have to learn when to ask ""why"" and when asking ""why"" will be an open door for their child to offer an excuse. Asking ""why"" often puts the focus on excuse making rather than on commitment and or obligation. What kind of excuses do you hear from your children and how do you respond? If your child says to you, ""I didn't have enough time,"" do you fuss, condone the behavior or attempt to help your child take a close look at how he or she can better use time? We all have the same number of minutes in a day. For instance, your son didn't remove his books and science project materials from the floor in the family as asked. You discover he spent the afternoon surfing the Internet. So was it that he didn't have time or he didn't use his time appropriately? Your children know their rooms are to be in order, with dirty clothes in the hamper and any homework completed before going to bed on Saturday evening. You've reminded your daughter more than once of the need to complete her social studies project. You've already helped her gather all the materials she needs. On Friday evening she watches TV, talks on the phone and rides her bike. She decides to sleep later than normal on Saturday morning, goes to her brother's soccer game, to the movie with friends, and then talks of being bored in the late afternoon. Another reminder is given about the social studies assignment. She says, ""Later,"" and plops down in a chair. On Sunday afternoon, her family is invited to swim and have a picnic with friends. It is 3 p.m. and the social studies project is still incomplete. Your daughter begins to offer excuses, ""I haven't had time,"" ""I had to go to my brother's soccer game,"" or ""I was tired."" Many parents may find themselves attacking or shaming their child with, ""You should have known better"" or ""how could you have been so foolish in how you used your time ... again?"" Comments as these do nothing to help your child make more responsible choices or correct behavior in the future. * Have your child keep a calendar indicating how time was utilized. * Discuss wise and unwise uses of time. * Help your child prioritize responsibilities and activities. * Help them learn how to get started working the priority list. Learning to make responsible choices often requires a permanent change in behavior. (Source: Daily News Journal