Chores are as important as your child’s education and the reasons are not far fetched. My friend once experienced how I force my kids to do some little chores like washing their plates, taking the trash basket out and washing their sneakers. Oh, why can’t your house help do all these instead and let the kids be kids? Well, quite frankly I was expecting the question because there are parents who actually think kids should be allowed to be kids. However, as much as I want my kids to be kids, I do not think doing chores stops them from being kids too. I want them to gradually learn what they need to learn to make them responsible adults. It just must start from now.

There are several studies that confirm the importance of chores. Research has shown that parents of successful children have listed “doing chores” as one of the key things they made their children do. 

Another research from Harvard examined the childhood psychosocial variables and biological processes that predicted health and well-being later in life. The research concluded that chores were the best predictor of which kids were more likely to become happy, healthy and independent adults.

Here are more reasons why you should let your kids do chores at home

Teach Life Skills

One of the major important reasons why chores are essential is that kids learn the life skills that help them become independent. Our children will grow up and live on their own one day. Doing chores helps them learn about what they need to do to care for themselves and also when they eventually have a family. They learn skills they can use in their adult lives, like preparing meals, cleaning, organising and doing basic repairs around the house.

Learn Responsibility

Assigning tasks to your children regularly helps teach them responsibility. Tasks such as cleaning their room, doing their own laundry or washing their dishes after eating can help them become more responsible and self-reliant;. Also, it helps your child understands that he/she is part of a community (your family) and that as a member of the community, he needs to share responsibilities to keep the community going.

Teach Teamwork

Another important reason for assigning chores to your kids is that it helps teach them teamwork and the roles everyone plays towards maintaining balance in the house which can be very useful to them as they grow. Kids can learn important teamwork skills at home when you engage them through chores such as laundry and house cleaning. Most chores in the house are connected so, if the dishes are dirty, there will be no clean pots to do the cooking. This teaches kids that each person has a part to play in ensuring the smooth running of the house.  

Help Reinforce Values 

Doing work around the home will enable them to appreciate what others do for them. When it’s your turn to clean up the mess, it allows your children to appreciate the work and efforts required to complete it. It also helps them become more considerate and humane.

Give Families A Chance To Bond

Chores can provide a chance to connect with your kid. Ever tried cooking with your kid? Try giving him some seasoning cubes to unwrap– if your kid finds it difficult you show him different ways to do it with ease.

From providing quality bonding time to giving your child a sense of responsibility and accomplishment, chores are an important part of a child’s development. And of course, when children help out, chores get done sooner, and parents have less to do. This frees up time for the family to do fun things together.

If your child currently doesn’t do any chores, you need to start today. Check out our article to discover ways to motivate your kids to do chores at home.

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