When I was a child, being told to wash the dishes was met with dramatic sighs and grumbling. I used to think, “The only reason you had me was to have a little helper for chores.” Fast forward to today, and as a mom myself, I can see just how absurd that thought was. Parents don’t have kids just so someone else can do the chores. They have kids so they can share the labor of managing a household—from doing the dishes to walking the dog, and tackling the endless list of tasks that come with home life. Let’s be real: kids can be a source of free labor, and involving them in chores helps instill a sense of responsibility and work ethic. So, when I ask my children to help out, I’m not just being a good parent; I’m also reclaiming precious time for myself, perhaps to scroll through Pinterest for projects I’ll never actually do.
Running a household smoothly requires a ton of effort, which is why I’ve decided it’s time for my kids to step up and contribute. After all, if they’re going to use all my toilet paper, consume my data, and empty the pantry, then they can certainly pitch in around the house while enjoying their rent-free lifestyle.
Up until now, my kids have had it relatively easy. Sure, they’ve had some chores, but these mainly revolved around cleaning up after themselves—making beds and clearing their plates at mealtime. However, despite my constant reminders, I often find myself still cleaning up after them—sweeping up crumbs, collecting dirty socks, and fishing wrappers out from between the couch cushions because they can’t be bothered to walk to the trash can.
I’ve always handled most household tasks on my own because, let’s face it, it seemed easier in the short term. After years of doing things my way, I’ve become quite adept at managing everything from scrubbing toilets to vacuuming carpets. But I realized that by taking on the bulk of the chores, I’m not only doing myself a disservice, but I’m also failing to prepare my kids for their future. If I don’t teach them how to handle these responsibilities or set the expectation that they should, I’m essentially conveying that it’s not their concern. And it absolutely is. I refuse to raise a bunch of messy teenagers who equate “Mom” with “maid,” or worse, turn them into lazy adults who leave behind a trail of dirty laundry for their partners to clean up.
So, I’ve made up my mind: it’s time for the kids to help out with chores. There’s just one small problem—I’m a bit of a neat freak with high standards, and they are young kids who couldn’t care less about tidiness. If I replaced the couch with a mountain of empty pizza boxes, they would just shrug and carry on playing video games.
For the sake of our household harmony, I’m learning to set aside my high cleanliness expectations while my children fumble their way through their new chores—tasks I could complete much faster and more efficiently, no doubt. It’s a test of patience.
As they navigate these new responsibilities, I’ve taken on the role of an observant guide. For instance, while they tackle the litter box, I find myself holding my breath and biting my tongue to avoid interjecting, despite my internal monologue screaming for order. “There’s a mess—grab it! No, not all at once! Oh no, they’re getting it on their hands!” I watch them struggle, reminding myself that this is how they learn, even if it takes them forever.
Whenever they pour in too much detergent, I prepare for a bubble overflow, and while I could probably complete the task in half the time, I remind myself that they need this experience. It’s like dental hygiene—if they only brush the front teeth, it’s my responsibility to guide them, but ultimately, they must learn to do it correctly on their own. The only way they’ll master these skills is if I loosen the reins and let them take the lead, even if it’s frustrating.
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In summary, while teaching kids to do chores can be an uphill battle, it’s a necessary task that prepares them for the future. Yes, it’s a challenge for parents, but it’s equally beneficial for children to learn responsibility and teamwork within the home.