We all had a time in our lives when we, as kids, were assigned to do specific household chores and we loathed it. While there are various answers to why kids dislike household chores, we will only mention three possible reasons behind this “hate.”
First, children and teens lack good judgment–the amount of work it takes to run a household has never crossed their minds yet. Second, they’re impulsive because they want things that they can immediately get their hands into. And third, some kids are self-centered and just concerned about their own essentials. It usually takes time for them to actually consider other people’s needs and expectations.
We are aware that there are parents who would rather not give their children chores as they want to do it themselves. However, not teaching children how to perform daily household chores is a mistake. Several studies have proven that letting kids help out around the house will not only lead to their individual growth but will also play a huge part in their future success.
A popular 75-year-long Harvard study examined what psychosocial variables and biological processes from earlier in life predict health and well-being later in life. The subjects who were assigned household chores as kids grew up to be independent adults. It was observed that they are able to work better in groups and even grasp the fact that doing chores—no matter how boring and tiring it is—can turn them into positive and successful members of the community.
In terms of raising successful kids without overparenting, Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of “How to Raise an Adult” and former Stanford University freshman dean, mentioned during her TED Talk, “(The study) discovered that professional success in life, which is what we want for our kids… comes from having done chores as [a] kid.”
“When young people have been expected to roll up their sleeves and pitch in, and to ask how they can contribute to the household, it leads to a mindset of pitching in in other settings, such as the workplace,” Lythcott-Haims said.
“Not giving the children chores will deprive them of the satisfaction of applying their effort to a task and accomplishing it,” she added.
So, why is doing daily chores so beneficial to children?
Researchers pointed out that children who are given a set of chores have higher self-esteem. Interestingly, they are also more responsible and better in dealing with stress, frustration, and delayed gratification. A different study from the Harvard Graduate School of Education also discovered that daily chores educate children on how to be empathic and responsive to the needs of others.
It also gives them the opportunity to give back to their parents for everything they have done for them. Since they get to be involved in doing household chores, they start seeing themselves as major contributors to their family. Apart from that, it allows kids to develop basic skills and knowledge that are both essential to maintain a home and a household. Not having a single clue on how to do simple chores can be a source of humiliation for young adults.
What should parents do in order to motivate their children?
The easiest time to start assigning chores is when kids are able to comprehend and follow basic instructions. Children as young as two years old can already do simple household tasks.
It’s also important to pick a certain time of day—this way it helps both parents and children remember their assigned chores. Parents need to focus less on the number of chores needed to be done. Instead, they should pay more attention to making kids understand the importance of roles and responsibilities.
Last but not least, let children learn from their mistakes. In the end, what really matters is how a child develops his or her sense of purpose and pride./TV
InqPOP! Creator Community/Vanessa Martinez