What are some typical responsibilities that teenagers commonly take on?

Responsibility is an excellent trait to possess, whether you're a child, teenager, adult, employee, or employer. From a young age, you can start assigning your children tasks to show them that everyone in a family contributes to maintaining the household, and that Mom isn't the only one responsible for cleaning. Furthermore, learning responsibility helps children grow in maturity and boosts their self-esteem, as they realize their capabilities.

Teenagers should take responsibility for their homework, personal space, and cleaning up after their own activities. After they've shown responsibility for their belongings, you can assess your family’s needs and consider what other duties your teenagers can handle for their personal development and the household’s smooth operation. Typically, teenagers are capable of managing any tasks assigned to them, much like an adult, though they might require some guidance initially.

Teenagers must also be held accountable for their actions. If they lose something due to negligence, they should either pay for a replacement or work to earn the money for it. If they forget an appointment, they should take the initiative to call, apologize, and reschedule. A parent who constantly shields a teenager from facing the consequences of their behavior prevents them from developing a sense of responsibility.

Many teenagers are capable of looking after their younger siblings and may even babysit for other families for pay. Generally, any tasks your teens are paid to do for others (such as mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, or washing dishes) can also be done for your family. Of course, how you present the tasks matters, as you don’t want to appear too forceful or make them feel overburdened. However, if your teenager is overwhelmed with homework or final exams, schoolwork should take priority, so you might want to ease up on other requests during busy academic periods.