Every single day, without fail, I find myself reminding my kids to complete their chores. Take my son, for instance. He’s responsible for taking the dog out after school and dinner. The moment the dog starts whining at the door, I nudge him to take action. After a few reminders, frustration builds, and my son questions why I’m suddenly in a bad mood.
Then there’s my daughter. When it’s her turn to fold the laundry, it often waits in the dryer until I’ve given her a few gentle nudges. Eventually, she groans, “Why is there so much laundry? I can’t stand this!” I completely understand her sentiment; laundry isn’t anyone’s favorite task. However, I’m thankful that my kids are old enough to handle this responsibility. In my view, as long as they’re living under my roof, I shouldn’t have to fold laundry at all. Life is good.
Most parents I know advocate for assigning chores to their children. It teaches them accountability, equips them with essential life skills, and helps cultivate a sense of responsibility—ensuring they don’t grow up with an inflated sense of entitlement. However, instilling a strong work ethic can be challenging—often one of the toughest aspects of parenting. The temptation to step in and do the chores ourselves is strong, especially after expending so much energy negotiating with our kids.
With two tweens and a teenager in the house, we’ve been navigating this chore routine for a while. They know what’s expected of them, yet they still resist. It can feel like a battle every time chore time rolls around. But no matter how much they push back, I’m equally determined. They may be stubborn, but so am I, and there’s no way I’m letting them coast while I handle all the work.
There are four of us living in this house. We all contribute to the mess, whether it’s laundry piling up, leaving dirt in the bathroom, or tracking mud in from outside. Everyone has a role to play. After investing time in teaching them how to pitch in (even if it’s often accompanied by my own frustrations), I’m starting to see the benefits. And let me tell you, it feels fantastic—complaining and all.
While my kids may not realize it yet, I understand that there are far more enjoyable activities than folding laundry or cleaning up after the dog. I remind them frequently that someday they will appreciate the skills I’m teaching them—like cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene (which can be the biggest chore of all). They might not grasp it until they’re parents themselves, dealing with the chaos of a child who can turn a tidy house into a disaster zone.
Still, I hope that one day, when they’re living on their own, they’ll feel empowered knowing how to manage their households, from preparing meals to keeping their clothes clean. If they can just keep things in order before I come to visit, I’ll consider it a success.
For now, while they are under my roof and I’m covering the bills, I refuse to do all the heavy lifting. I won’t allow them to sit back and relax while I’m the only one working hard. They might think they can outsmart me in this chore game, but I have the upper hand. After all, mothers have unmatched endurance.
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Summary:
This article discusses the importance of having children contribute to household chores. It highlights the challenges parents face in instilling a sense of responsibility in their children while emphasizing the long-term benefits of teaching life skills. The author shares personal anecdotes of her experiences with her own kids, reinforcing the notion that everyone under the same roof must pull their weight.