There's Actually A Really Good Reason You Should Get Your Kids Helping Around The House

Plenty of kids and teens in the UK aren’t getting involved in housework.A major survey of almost 6,000 parents and children found fewer than half of UK kids under the age of 15 help with household chores, the Times reported.The Parentkind research found children in London seem to be significantly less housework-shy than other areas in the UK. But Jason Elsom, Parentkind’s CEO, said the findings “should worry us”.“Somewhere along the way, gentle parenting has been misread as gentle expectations, and kindness without accountability sells children short,” he said.“Chores are not punishment; they are the first lessons in teamwork, responsibility, and self-reliance. These habits later develop into resilience at school and reliability at work.”The expert added that if we want confident and capable young adults, “we have to start in the kitchen and the hallway with clear roles, age-appropriate tasks and calm, consistent follow-through”.While kids might drag their feet as far as chores are concerned (hey, we’ve all been there! I don’t know any child who willingly hops and skips to empty the dishwasher); research shows that getting involved with housework is good for them.The benefits of getting kids involved with choresOne 75-year study from Harvard found that children who are encouraged to do chores around the house are more likely to be happier as adults, have more empathy towards others, and be more successful in their careers.Another 20-year study from the University of Minnesota found that adding chores to your child’s daily schedule was “the best predictor of overall adult success – especially if started at an earlier age”, according to TikTok Kid Doc.“Having your children do chores gives them a sense of self-worth and it helps them to realise that they’re contributing to a larger ecosystem,” the paediatrician said in a video.“They become more selfless, they become more willing and able to see the needs of other people around them.“Chores also strengthen family bonds with siblings and with parents. And chores help to instil a better work ethic which translates pretty well into school and career success.”How to get kids involved with houseworkAccording to Go Henry, which has a helpful list of appropriate chores for different age groups, “most kids can start doing simple tasks like putting away their toys or setting the table by ages 3 or 4”. As they get older, they can take on “more challenging chores” like hoovering or washing up. If your child is new to the world of helping out around the house, it’s best to start gradually. Sue Atkins, family parenting expert and author of Parenting Made Easy, urges parents to “set chores in an incremental way”.“Start with small, simple chores and gradually increase the difficulty and complexity so kids can learn new skills and develop a sense of responsibility,” she said.The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests the following age groups could help with these chores:2- to 3-year-olds – put toys and shopping away, or dress themselves with help.4- to 5-year-olds – help feed pets, make their beds, help clear the table after dinner.6- to 7-year-olds – wipe tables and counters, put laundry away, sweep floors.7- to 9-year-olds – load and unload the dishwasher, help with meal preparation, pack their own lunch.10- to 11-year-olds – change their beds, clean the kitchen or bathrooms, help in the garden.12-year-olds and over – wash the car and help out with younger siblings. Teens can help with shopping and running errands.In a Mumsnet thread on the topic, parents broadly agreed that it’s best for kids to have two sets of chores, those that are expected (like keeping rooms tidy and making beds, etc) and those that they can earn things, ie. pocket money, for (like vacuuming the whole house, cleaning the car, etc).One parent explained: “The standard things don’t need rewards, they just need to be done. If you want to you can then offer rewards for extras. I’ve seen this done with a noticeboard with different jobs and the ‘wages’ pinned to it, they can then choose as many/few jobs as they like.”It can also help to make chores fun (add some music or turn it into a game) to get kids on board. Good luck!Related...WTF Does Washed Mean? Gen Z And Alpha Slang ExplainedCan A Lying Game Help Kids Open Up About School? Here's What Therapists SayMy Kids Are Asking About All The England Flags. What Should I Tell Them?

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