Babying your children doesn’t help them in the long run and you’re not doing them any favors. I’ve been known to cook for my kids and carry the food to their room to ensure they eat something healthy. This happens during our busiest time of the year with sports schedules. Mom grief is a phenomenon that happens as your kids grow up and you start losing control over their actions as they become more self-sufficient.
The goal is to equip your kids enough, so they don’t call you ten times per day when they go off to college or move out! If you’re not hearing from them daily, then that means you taught them enough to survive on their own and this is a good thing! It also means they are becoming responsible humans. In order for them to be independent, here are a few life skills that parents can focus on as they grow up:
*Meal preparation including basic cooking skills, meal planning, and food storage and handling.
*Sorting clothes, washing machine settings, folding, and ironing.
*Cleaning their living space including bathroom, vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, wiping surfaces, and taking out the trash.
*Financial budgeting, paying bills, using a credit card responsibly, cash handling, and basic financial literacy.
*Time management which entails sticking to a schedule by balancing chores, study time, and social activities.
*Car maintenance and being able to pump gas, check the oil, tire pressure, and fluid levels.
*Using basic tools for minor repairs in the home. Changing light bulbs, resetting a tripped breaker, and unclogging drains.
*Grocery shopping skills which involve making a shopping list, comparing prices, and buying nutritious foods. Navigating a grocery store efficiently.
*Basic health care and understanding first aid basics. Knowing how to make a doctor’s appointment and understanding basic mediations and dosages.
*Maintaining personal hygiene, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and staying physically active.
Kids that do chores are known to have an improved sense of self-worth. Psychology Today references a Harvard study that states that children who do chores are more successful and have an increase in confidence. These life skills prepare them for adulthood and teach time management and work ethic. My kids currently perform the following chores:
Laundry
Dishes
Feed and take the dog out
Cut grass
Weeding
Spread mulch
Shovel snow
Bring in the garbage cans
Run the vacuum
Even though kids are busy with school, sports, and social schedules it’s still a good idea to make sure chores are getting done. Life is always going to be busy, so it’s best to learn how to juggle everything at a young age. Chores empower kids and allow them to become independent. They’ll also learn how to be accountable and assertive.
Teens should be given more responsibilities as they prepare to move out on their own. Chores should never be presented in a negative way or associated as a form of punishment. Start with small tasks until it becomes routine and gradually build upon each habit. A great way to stay organized is by making a to-do list. People are more likely to complete tasks when it’s written down.
Kids can’t learn and grow as individuals if parents are constantly doing everything for them. By contributing to the household, children gain confidence and life skills that will benefit them well into adulthood. Chores can improve mental well-being and mindfulness. Encouraging kids to take part in chores not only supports the family but also helps shape them into capable and independent individuals.
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