What if I told you that something as simple as washing dishes or taking out the trash could set your child up for success? It may sound surprising, but it's true! Various studies have been published, including one by Harvard, that show how chores help with children's success later in life. In the past, chores were a common part of a family’s dynamic.
However now, fewer and fewer parents are implementing chores in their children’s life out of fear of over stressing them. Yet studies show the opposite: chores offer a wide range of benefits for kids, helping them build responsibility, resilience, and independence. So let's dig into why chores aren't just about keeping a tidy home – they're about preparing your child for a successful future.
The Truth About Childhood Chores —And Why It's Time To Bring Them Back
Chores used to be a common part of every household. But in today's fast-paced world, they're becoming a rarity. According to a poll cited by the Boston Globe , only "28 percent said they regularly assign chores to their kids, even though 82 percent said they grew up doing chores themselves."
So why the sudden shift? Many parents want their children to have a better life than they had and they worry that assigning chores will cause unnecessary stress. With increased homework loads and extra curricular activities many parents feel their children don’t have time or energy for chores. However, by shielding them from chores you may be hindering them in the future.
It is time to rethink how we view childhood chores.
Julie Lythcott-Haims, former dean of freshmen and undergraduate advising at Stanford University, wrote a book called “How to Raise an Adult.” In her book, Julie argues that household chores don't just help build responsibility — they also foster autonomy, and perseverance. Additionally, she argues that teaching them how to pitch in at home will transcend over to pitching in at the workplace as adults, thus making them better team players.
Childhood Chores And Their Many Benefits
Becoming a team player is just the beginning. Chores offer a wide range of advantages, helping children develop crucial life skills that set them up for success. Here is a list of the top 10 benefits that childhood chores have on children.
Better Time Management
While busy schedules can seem overwhelming they can actually help your child develop essential time management skills. Learning how to juggle academics, housework, and a social schedule can help children learn how to multitask and organize their time effectively. These skills will be invaluable later in life when they enter adulthood. During that time they will need to juggle responsibilities like working late, grocery shopping, caring for their own families, and managing a household.
Additionally, chores help children master the art of prioritization. By learning to evaluate a list of tasks and assess which is most urgent, kids gain a beneficial skill that will serve them well later in life. Whether they are battling bills, managing deadlines, or handling daily to-do's, knowing how to keep a level head and prioritize tasks will make them more successful.
Increased Academic Performance
In 2015, Martin Rossman, MD conducted a study comparing children in homes that required chores with those in homes that didn't. The results were striking. The study revealed that, "87% [of parents] report their kids are doing well in school, vs. 61% of parents who do not require chores."
The link between chores and academic performance highlights how essential skills like time management, responsibility, and prioritization are. Children who practice these skills at home are better equipped to apply them to their school work. Homework, studying and even information recall becomes less overwhelming when your child understands how to tackle tasks in a structured and efficient way.
Boosted Self-Esteem
As children take on new challenges and develop new skills through chores, their self-esteem naturally increases. By assigning tasks around the house, you're giving your child opportunities to exercise independence — something that is directly linked to building self-confidence.
According to research from the Birmingham Maple Clinic "Children who have chores experience higher self-esteem, are better able to deal with frustration and delayed gratification." The praise and satisfaction they get from completing tasks and chores provide them with a sense of accomplishment, reinforcing the belief that they can tackle whatever life throws at them. Over time, their confidence will become a cornerstone of their success.
Improved Mental Health
Chores aren't just helping around the house — they can also have a profound impact on your child's mental health. According to the Highland Springs Specialty Clinic , "Children who are spending time with their family have shown less risk of behavioral issues." If children help out with family chores the load is lessened for all. As a result, parents will have more time to spend with their child leading to stronger family bonds and emotional well-being.
Chores also broaden a child's perspective on success. While academics are important, it is equally valuable to show your kids that doing well in sports teams, or helping out the community can also be fulfilling and rewarding. In fact, a long- running Harvard University study of inner-city males found that "willingness and capacity to work in childhood — indicated by holding a part-time job, taking on household chores, or participating in school clubs or sports — was a better predictor of mental health in adulthood than was social class, family problems, and other factors."
Increased Creativity
The Rossman study revealed that, "92% report their kids are creative, vs. 80% of parents who do not require chores." This boost in creativity may be linked to the "auto-pilot" mode that our brains switch into during repetitive tasks. When children fold laundry or wash dishes, for example, the action becomes second nature after at time. This frees their minds tow ander and engage in more imaginative thinking.
This mental downtime allows children to daydream, problem-solve, or come up with new ideas — skills that can foster creativity both in and outside of the home.
Teaches Important Life Skills
As much as we would love for our children to stay young forever, the reality is they'll grow up and face the world on their own. One day, you won't be there to care of them. Tasks like making a bed or washing dishes might seem trivial, but if you don't reach these skills, you could be hindering your child's ability to manage their life independently.
Daily chores gives children the hands-on experience with the responsibilities they'll need to handle independently as adults. They learn what it takes to manage a home, care for themselves, and contribute to a group — all essential life skills. By introducing small challenges, like tidying up their room or helping with meal prep, you're setting them up for a smoother transition into adulthood. These early lessons will make the rest of their lives that much easier.
Improved Self Control
According to Michigan State University, "Structure and routine can also help parents build their child's self-control and, in turn, reduces power struggles with parents." By incorporating chores into your child's daily routine, you can spend more tie bonding and less tie dealing with tantrums or arguments.
Teaching self control in childhood lays the foundation for strong self-regulation. The ability to control one's thoughts, behaviors, and emotions to achieve your goals is an vital skill for success. While it might seem like an ability everyone should have, the level of self-regulation often depends on how a person was raised.
Good self regulation offers numerous benefits, including improved focus, better impulse control, and greater productivity. It also leads to lower stress levels and healthier interpersonal relationships, all of which contribute to a more balance and successful life.
Teaches Responsibility And Discipline
The Rossman study demonstrated that chores play a key role in teaching responsibility. According to the data, "88% regard their kids are responsible, vs. 63% of parents who do not require chores." Additionally,"92% regard their kids as disciplined, vs. 78% of parents who do not require chores."
Chores help children develop an understanding of responsibility and its importance in everyday life. Children who learn to be responsible tend to have better relationships, experience less stress, and are more successful in achieving their goals. As adults, they are seen as credible and dependable — qualities that can make a real difference in both personal and professional environments.
Teaches Pride In Work
Chores can help children take pride in their work by showing them that they are capable of accomplishing tasks independently and successfully. As author Julie Lythcott-Haims noted, not assigning chores"deprives them of the satisfaction of applying their effort to a task and accomplishing it."
When children are not given these opportunities, it can lead to laziness or lower self-esteem later in life. While some parents worry that chores might stress their child, they are actually offering them valuable chances to grow, build independence, and take pride in their own efforts.
Promotes A Sense Of Belonging
Chores also promote a sense of belonging. When children see how their efforts contribute to the larger needs of the family, they understand that their work matters. This fosters as sense of purpose, showing them that everyone in the family contributes and adds value. This understanding helps your child feel secure and peaceful, reducing stress as they recognize their importance within the family unit.
You can extend this even further by teaching them how to contribute to their local community. As children grow, their sense of community expands —from their family to their dance team, then their school, eventually to their town and beyond. By helping your child understand how their contributions make a difference, you're preparing them to be responsible and engaged citizens as adults.
So, What Is The Verdict?
Still unsure about assigning chores to your child? Consider this: "A University of Minnesota analysis of data collected over a 20-year period found that the best predictor of success in young adulthood, on measures related to education completion, career path, and personal relationships, was whether they had begun doing chores at an early age — as young as 3 or 4."
If you want your child to grow up successful, independent, and capable of forming strong relationships, don't hesitate to introduce chores. It is okay for your child to struggle now — in the safety of your home, with you to guide them. Allowing them to face challenges today will equip them to handle life's obstacles tomorrow.
So, do yourself, your child, and the world a favor: give them some chores.
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