Respect for parents and grandparents
Parents and grandparents have looked after us since we were babies. They fed us, taught us to walk and talk, and stayed up when we were ill. Respect is how we say thank you with our actions.
Ways to show respect:
- Greet them warmly each day.
- Listen when they speak, and ask for their stories.
- Speak politely, even when you disagree.
- Help: bring water, carry bags, read to a grandparent whose eyes are tired.
- Say thanks and sorry when needed.
Respect does not mean you can never speak your mind. You can share your feelings in a calm and kind way.
Your role in the family
A role is the part a person plays and the jobs that go with it. Every family member has one. A child's roles are: study well, keep your things tidy, help with small jobs, be kind to younger ones, and tell the truth.
When each person does their role:
- the home runs smoothly,
- nobody feels alone with all the work,
- children learn to be responsible.
Roles may change as you grow. You can take on more as you can do more.
Sharing chores
If there are 8 chores and 1 person does them all, that person does 8. If 2 people share, each does 8 ÷ 2 = 4. With 4 people, each does 2.
Chores each = total chores ÷ people sharing.
Fair sharing also means giving harder jobs to those who are strong enough and easy jobs to the small ones. Say thanks to each other.
Try it: the family helper chart
Make a chart with every family member's name and one job each for the week. Tick it daily. At the end of the week, ask everyone how it felt. Swap jobs next week.
Key formulas and definitions
- Key terms: family, respect, care, role, responsibility, chores
- Chores each = total chores ÷ people sharing
- Care comes in, respect goes back
Worked examples
1. There are 12 chores and 3 people share them equally. How many does each person do?
12 ÷ 3 = 4 chores each.
2. Grandpa tells you the same story again. What is a respectful reaction?
Listen kindly, smile, and ask a new question about it. They enjoy sharing, and you learn something new.
3. Mum is tired and the dishes are piled up. What can you do?
Offer to wash or dry a few dishes without being asked, and ask what else you can do. Helping before you are asked shows love.
Common mistakes
- Thinking only parents have a role at home.
- Helping only when told to.
- Answering back rudely when angry.
- Thinking an elder's advice is useless because "times have changed".