My son is 11 and lately I've been feeling like he isn't responsible enough for his age. I'm old school too and raising him to take care of himself. He knows how to do dishes, laundry, etc. but I usually have to tell him (or yell at him) to do it. To me it would be nice if he took more initiative and helped out more cause he wanted to. To show me he appreciates all the things I do for him. It seriously makes me want to stop going out of my way to make his life as good as it can be when I don't feel he appreciates it. Maybe I'm being unrealistic but it really stinks and I'm having to dish out more consequences lately to get my point across. I'm worried he's gonna be spoiled or self-centered or something. Any advice?

Totaly agree here.Have seen that way more times than I care too.Have had lots come to me and tell me how they feel! So sad.But they were not conplaining! But there was no mistake about the pain they suffered.

I think it is not the responsbility of just one or two people to RAISE a child. I think it is a community effort. Raising a child involves many different things; providing, nurturing, feeding, clothing, disciplining, loving and at different stages children need differing levels of each. Although I dont agree with infants and toddlers being left in the care of siblings on a constant basis, I think past the age of third or fourth grade, it is certainly each siblings responsibility to look after each other(being in the same home, what else do they have to do?). IF the parents are providing, feeding, clothing, disciplining and loving all of them, they all should give back by giving the same to each other,,its why parents set examples. If kids cant feel responsible for their siblings,, its gonna be more difficult for them to feel responsible for their own children. But I was raised that the older are responsible for the younger, regardless of biological titles.