Get ready to hand your kid a broom! Parents, here’s some news that might just ease your conscience: a study suggests that assigning chores to children can pave the way for their future success as adults. Yes, you heard that right! While it may ultimately lead to more work for us, it’s time to pass the sponge to the little ones without feeling guilty about it.
Julie Waters, a former education dean at a prestigious university and author of the book Raising Capable Kids, emphasizes that children need to tackle chores to become successful grown-ups. In an interview with Tech Insider, she stated, “When kids take out the trash or do their own laundry, they come to understand that they must put in the effort to be part of life.” This perspective was shared during a TED Talk where she discussed findings from a long-term study on child development that’s been running for decades. As Waters pointed out, “If kids aren’t doing the dishes, someone else is picking up the slack. They miss out on the vital lesson that work is necessary and that everyone must contribute to the greater good.”
Sounds great, right? But let’s be real—how many times do we have to plead with our kids just to brush their teeth? I celebrate small victories like getting my kids to obey me on the first ask, and I don’t need extra chores adding to the daily drama. And let’s be honest, have you ever seen a child sweep the floor? Perfection is not exactly the result.
While we parents recognize the benefits of chores—responsibility, teamwork, and all that jazz—sometimes all we want is our dishes put away without a theatrical meltdown. Sure, we can agree that kids doing chores is a good idea, but can we wait until they’re old enough to do it without turning it into a circus?
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In summary, while it’s clear that chores can instill valuable life skills in children which may lead to their success as adults, the daily struggle between parents and kids over chores is an entirely different battle. Chores have their merits, but let’s hope for a time when they don’t just add to the chaos of family life.