kids doing chores

We live in a world where some parents are hesitant to ask their kids to do chores or take on responsibility, maybe because we want to make their lives easier and let them enjoy childhood, or maybe because it’s just faster and easier to do it ourselves.

Either way, if your kids don’t have responsibilities in the home, you’re actually missing a huge opportunity to GIVE them a gift, not take something from their childhood.

Today we’ll explore 3 reasons why this is true and hear some examples from some of our incredible summer camp leaders who have seen both sides.

I hope you’ll come to believe as I do that giving kids responsibilities is a GIFT to them and the whole family…if so, you can start this weekend with our pre-Mother’s Day sale on the Zero to Breakfast Weekend Challenge!

This 7-video series is 100% at your own pace and will train kids ages 4-14 to make 8 different healthy breakfast options. Perhaps you can get the lessons in before Mother’s Day on May 8 to improve your chances of breakfast in bed?

Take advantage of 35% off through May 3!

Can’t see the video? Watch Giving Kids Responsibilities here on YouTube!

No time for the video? Here are the notes!

Giving Kids Responsibilities Is a Gift

  • 0:46: Today I’ll start by telling you about a typical Saturday morning at our house and how our chore system works. 

I still do some chores, but my kids help out! We all work together as a family. -Katie Kimball

  • 3:53: Some people look at our family and think I’m a lazy mom for making my kids do so many chores. One perspective is that kids need to play and have their childhood while the adults take responsibility for all the cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. 
  • 4:55: I believe there is a logical argument for why we should give kids responsibilities and it’s actually a gift, not taking something away from them. 
  • 5:29: Reason #1: Having real responsibilities will improve your kid’s success and mental health as an adult. Dr. Nicole Beurkins has told me that she sees a direct correlation in her young adult patients between not being able to take care of themselves and an increase in anxiety and depression.

We can’t teach our kids life skills as adults. They need time to build competency and make mistakes when they can fall back on us and have a sense of safety as they learn. -Katie Kimball

  • 9:20: Reason #2: We want to cultivate an attitude of gratitude instead of entitlement. Kids expect a lot to be handed to them. Instead of being given the skills to take care of themselves and others, they expect others to take care of them. 
  • 11:12: When kids are entitled, they don’t know how to be grateful when they receive things. My older kids pack their own lunches, if I do it for them they see it as a gift rather than taking it for granted. 

  • 14:04: Reason #3: Sharing responsibility helps out the entire family, not just the parents. Build a team mindset in your family rather than looking at it like your kids are working for you. 

Every new responsibility your child gets is building them up for success as adults. -Katie Kimball

  • 16:52: Mother’s Day is coming up, so we’re offering a Mother’s Day sale on our Zero to Breakfast Weekend Challenge. Your kids can learn how to make several breakfasts on their own!

Resources We Mention for Giving Kids Responsibilities