Taking on Responsibilities

Taking on Responsibilities

At True Balance Karate in Downers Grove, Illinois, we believe character development is just as important as physical skills. Through our True Character social-emotional learning program, we help students of all ages—from age three to 85—understand and grow into life skills like responsibility.

I’m Master H, the owner and chief instructor, and this month, we’re focusing on what it means to take care of what is needed or expected. We’ve already talked about how to define responsibility and what responsible people do. Now, we’re moving into an important question: What responsibilities can we grow into?

As children grow older, they become more capable—but as adults, we sometimes forget to update our expectations. I’ll give you a real-life example: when my son was about three, his job after dinner was to place his dishes on the counter near the sink. He wasn’t tall enough to safely reach into the sink, and that task suited his age and ability.

Years later, around age 8 or 9, I noticed him doing the same thing—dishes to the counter, not the sink. When I asked why, he said, “Because that’s what I’m supposed to do.” That was a lightbulb moment: he had grown, but our expectations hadn’t. He was taller, more capable, and ready for the next step—putting dishes into the sink, or even learning to load the dishwasher.

So now we’re asking: Where else can our kids grow in responsibility?
Can they start feeding the pets, making their own lunch, mowing the lawn, or helping at the grocery store? Even something simple, like retrieving a box of pasta or a gallon of milk, is a step toward independence.

This is a great time to reflect. As a new school year begins and kids advance a grade or celebrate a birthday, how have they matured? Where can they take on more responsibility—and where can we as parents recognize and encourage that growth?

Responsibility isn’t just a chore list. It’s a sign of trust, maturity, and capability. So let’s keep asking the question: What’s the next step my child is ready for?

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you on the mat!

True Balance Karate was founded in 2012 by Master Sue and Paul Helsdon.

We offer kids karate lessons for pre-school children ages 3-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up. These lessons are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need — specialized for their age group — for school excellence and later success in life.

Our adult martial arts training is a complete adult fitness and conditioning program for adults who want to lose weight, get (and stay) in shape, or learn self-defense in a supportive environment.

Instructors can answer questions or be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 630-663-2000. You can also contact us here. True Balance Karate is at 406 Ogden Ave Downers Grove Illinois, 60515 (next to CVS) Check out our Facebook!