Should I ask kids to help around the house?

“Our children should be properly introduced to the world in which they live.”-Thomas Berry

When we teach kids about the kind of hard work that is required in life, we must tell them how important the chores are. Yup…Chores…The house hold work. And no, this is no joke. When you send kids away for further studies or for their career opportunities you are not going to send a servant with them, are you? So how is your Raja beta or Pretty Princes going to manage washing clothes, cooking, doing the dishes and other house hold jobs?

Many parents unintentionally spoil kids by believing “let kids be kids”. While others parents may think children are incapable of undertaking the housework. These points make sense, but they also overlook many positive benefits. Social scientists reports that when we expect kids to put their toys away, make their beds, or just wipe down the counter around at a young age, they get used to with these tasks. When they grow up they easily accomplish these things without any hesitation.

“THE SKILLS THAT KIDS LEARN EARLY WILL LAST MOST OF THEIR LIVES. CHORES TEACH KIDS SKILLS THAT THEY WILL NEED TO SURVIVE ON THEIR OWN AND TO GET ALONG WITH OTHERS. FROM AN EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVE, CHORES TEACH KIDS HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND TO BE A COOPERATIVE, PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF THE TRIBE.”-PSYCHOLOGIST DR. SHANE OWENS

Let’s be honest, kids don’t have a deep practical skill set (coloring within the lines doesn’t count). Completing small tasks is a good start. Chores are one of the first opportunities to take on basic, low-stakes responsibilities so kids can learn to do them right. Unfortunately giving children chores does not necessarily means less work for parents. It means more work, not just because kids may resist responsibilities at first, but they might be bad at it. If moms and dads want something done right, they can do it themselves and that seem more efficient and easier in the moment. But if kids are ever going to make their bed instead of jumping on it, it’s worth the time and effort.

Let’s focus on how chores can help little heads as they grow.

Life skills
They’re young now, but they won’t be kids forever! Laundry, cooking and budgeting are just some of the skills your kids will need once they finally move out. These are also things that schools do not fully teach, making them learn these at home is important.

Responsibility and self-reliance
Assigning children regular chores helps teach them responsibility. Tasks that personally affect your kids, such as cleaning their room or doing their own laundry, can help them become more self-reliant. Your kids may also take pride in being considered mature enough to take care of themselves.

Teamwork
Being a productive member of a team can be modeled for children through housework. Members of your family “team” are accountable to each other, and there are consequences when you don’t meet each other’s expectations. Learning these lessons at home, where mistakes are more easily forgiven, can help kids develop strong teamwork skills to use at school or work.

Reinforce respect
It takes moving away from home for most of us to fully appreciate all the hard work our parents did around the house. Kids are likely no different, but assigning them chores may help this insight come a little quicker. Kids may become more aware of the messes they make if they’re tasked with cleaning up around the house, and more respectful of the work that goes into maintaining a home.

Work ethic
This trait is valued by teachers and bosses, so why not cultivate work ethic in your kids from a young age? Chores are commonly tied to a reward, such as an allowance or TV time. Paying children for a job well done can also spark an entrepreneurial spirit, inspiring them to work outside the house once they reach their teens.

Planning and time management skills
There are a million things to do in the day, and fitting it all into our diaries is a challenge! Chores can help older kids and teens build good habits early. Juggling schoolwork deadlines, housework and their social lives helps them learn to set priorities and manage their time, important skills for the working world.

Chores give families a chance to bond. People often cry that chores take up time they could be spending elsewhere. But chores can actually create special moments between children and adults. Little ones who always want to help will feel important and receive a self-esteem boost, and moody teens may decide to open up over a shared task.

Well…even as adult, chores do seem like a task let alone be kids. But remember we are to raise adults who are ready to take on the world. So when you confront with your kids and get things done, do it without any guilt. Let’s mould them in a way that they can manage their work life, home life and social life.