Children who help with household chores are likely to become successful adults

by Shirley Marie Bradby

January 03, 2019

Children who help with household chores are likely to become successful adults
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Among the many tasks that parents must cope with are household chores, usually scheduled for the weekend, when "at least" you do not have to go to work - a detail that still does not help in making these tasks more lovable.

Doing household chores is often made even more burdensome by the fact that, while you are intent on doing the cleaning, someone invariably sabotages the work you have already done. Who is it? Obviously, it is your children! 

Yet many research studies show the importance of involving children from an early age in domestic chores so that you can have not only a clean house but also successful children.

via mother.ly

ryan harvey/flickr

ryan harvey/flickr

A research study conducted by Marty Rossmann, a professor at the University of Minnesota, shows that children involved in household chores benefit from the experience; in particular they develop greater self-esteem, are more responsible and are able to face frustration and delay gratification - factors that contribute to greater academic success. All of this will have a positive impact on their adult life. 

Giving children these tasks encourages their development of values and skills, according to Julie Lythcott-Haims, a professor at Stanford University. In fact, by helping with household chores children gain independence, improve their problem-solving skills, develop good organization and planning, and learn to work in groups and for a community - the family. They are also more empathetic and humble, they learn the value of effort, overcome challenges and improve patience and tolerance.

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donnie ray jones/flickr

donnie ray jones/flickr

It is important to find a way to persuade them to participate in the cleaning tasks, and clearly, the secret is always the same: through playing a game. It is, in fact, necessary to make tedious household chores become challenges that are fun to their eyes, and of course, modulate the tasks according to their age and ability.

For example, when they start walking, give them a cloth and ask them to clean their toys or play table: the goal is not the result - because, surely, you will have to go back and check the toys and the table - but the amount of learning or responsibility associated with it. As they grow both the tasks and difficulty should be increased, such as folding their clothes and making their beds, but the important thing is to let them do it by themselves and to always acknowledge positively their efforts.

Involving them will be easier than you think! In fact, children tend to want to help their parents, because when they imitate their parents' example,  they feel more "grown-up".

Let us remember that by entrusting our children with responsibilities, we are providing them with the tools to strengthen their self-esteem and to be autonomous which is an indispensable quality in adult life.

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