From Household Tasks to School Assignments, I Don’t Let My Kids Cut Corners

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Imagine your child is eager to play outside with friends, but you’ve asked them to do their chores first, like washing the dishes. They complete the task, but in their haste, you discover food residue still stuck to several items. You have two options: either finish the job yourself, feeling frustrated, or call them back, saying, “This isn’t good enough.” At my home, the latter often earns me the title of Meanest Mom in the World.

This stems from one of my steadfast principles: I don’t allow my children to do a half-hearted job, whether it’s scrubbing a bathroom or writing a short essay for class. If it’s not done well, I don’t consider it acceptable until they meet the standards I know they can achieve. I could easily take over and complete their chores, but what lesson does that teach? It suggests that minimal effort is adequate, and that someone will always swoop in to fix their mistakes. I refuse to enable that mindset.

Of course, I understand that when they’re grappling with something new, there will be a learning curve, and I’m always patient with initial blunders. However, when they know what’s expected, there’s no reason they shouldn’t deliver quality work. If they’ve cut corners or rushed through a task, they simply have to redo it — and do it correctly this time.

This can be challenging since kids often lack motivation when it comes to chores and schoolwork, and they frequently test boundaries. Admittedly, it’s no picnic when they have to redo something; it often leads to whining and sulking. Yes, it can be exhausting! I could save myself a ton of trouble by accepting their half-done work, but I remind myself that I’m doing this for their benefit. If I don’t teach them to strive for better, they might never learn to push themselves.

Someday, they’ll encounter situations where their best effort is expected — whether from a college professor, an employer, or even a coach. If they’ve been allowed to skate by with minimal effort, they’ll face a rude awakening. By insisting on their best now, I’m instilling the value of hard work and commitment, ensuring they don’t grow up thinking it’s okay to give less than their best. Nobody appreciates someone who puts forth a subpar effort and expects others to compensate for it.

I believe in my kids’ intelligence and capabilities. By holding them to high standards, I’m teaching them a crucial life skill — that doing things right the first time actually saves work in the long run. They don’t have to be perfect, but I expect them to put forth their best effort. Even if their best isn’t always stellar, I can differentiate between genuine effort and laziness.

I don’t demand perfection from my children, but I do expect them to give their all in whatever they undertake. They’ve been raised with this understanding, which is why my 7-year-old recently declared he “used his whole self” on a school project. Maybe that should be my new motto — it’s definitely preferable to cutting corners!

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In summary, teaching kids to put forth their best efforts in chores and homework instills important values that will serve them well throughout life. By not allowing them to settle for mediocrity, we are preparing them for future challenges and responsibilities.