The method Chelsea Lensing uses to teach accountability and responsibility is a unique and engaging approach to addressing the issue of needing to “load the kids with too much,” which Chelsea refers to as “a sweet误会” for her mom. She believes that kids are more likely to quit whining and start self-awareness when parents are teaching them that hunger is not the default; instead, it’s their duty to make their lunch and lemonade. This approach is not groundbreaking, as it is more akin to a repetitive skill used in other areas of life, such as simple grocery store counting or using a toy to try to organize clutter.
The key idea is not starvation but self-awareness. Lensing’s method of prompting her child with gentle nudge calls, such as “Do you want to bring a snack or a book for the car?” helps her daughter push boundaries while encouraging a sense of responsibility. While this seemingly simple method can lead to occasional toddler epiphanies, especially when the child suddenly realizes they need to do something they haven’t had to in years, it can also lead to noticeable moments of frustration. For example, when needed, the child might feel angry or upset, taking a different approach, which can sometimes fail to result in accountability.
But not everyone will catch onto this idea. Some parents may conceive it as a genius hack, while others might find it child labor. Despite these differing reactions, many educators have praised the method. As a teacher, lenses said, “I can tell instantly when a child has never been responsible for a single thing in their life,” highlighting the idea that starting small can lead to bigger outcomes. Lensing often reflects on similar hacks with her 4-year-old, recalling when she said, “Did you bring a snack? I’m definitely letting myself go hungry.” This gives her something to work with and a chance to grow as a parent.
Deb Goddard, another mom with a similar approach, uses folding laundry as her ” nhimang” hack. She shows her child how to combine cardboard flaps to create a foldable board, encouraging them to take on new responsibilities. Some parents may think this is a genius hack, while others criticize it for encouraging child labor.芽 mentioned that when the child makes such a change, the parent loses the balance of their relationship, but lenses said, “sometimes the right moment to teach is the time when the child has to.” She notes that once the child realizes the consequences of their actions, “there’s no reason to worry,” which goes against some parents’ views.
This method is effective for building responsibility and accountability, but it’s important to measure progress. Some parents might only recognize it when they’ve tried multiple times, and it’s essential to observe if the child feels autonomous and committed. Despite the criticism, the method has been widely praised for its impact on children, particularly when applied consistently.
In summary, Chelsea Lensing’s method is a refreshing approach to addressing the need for parent-child support, particularly when it comes to essential things like food and cleanliness. It leverages the abundance of food options to create a “snack” toy that children can use to innovate and grow, teaching them that they can contribute more meaningfully when they feel the need to. While the method is not groundbreaking, it is effective, offering a way to inspire accountability and responsibility in the simplest of ways.
