I saw something the other day that, no lie, really shocked me. It was a social media post about kids’ chores.. seems harmless enough, but the comments were what had me shaken. So many people were saying that kids shouldn’t be “forced to work”… I had no idea that this negative connotation has grown around kids doing chores! I mean, I grew up with chores, and my kids have them as well! Of course, they are age-appropriate, but in my mind, every kid should have some kind of chores to teach them valuable lessons and skills that can be used later in life.
*This post has been sponsored by Homey. All opinions are 100% my own. Feel free to see my full disclosure policy.*
Why You Should Give Your Kids Chores
Chores are great for kids! They help them learn, grow, and become independent individuals. I seriously can’t wrap my head around the concept that chores are bad for kids. Pretty sure I saw one comment that said, “These are your kids, not your maids”…. Well, okay. I am their mother and not their maid, so they can learn to clean up after themselves…I have always thought that age-appropriate chores for kids had great benefits in the long run, and I don’t think anyone will change my mind on that topic.
Benefits of Chores for Kids
As I said, I see many benefits to kids’ chores, not just having mini maids running around my house.
Learn Responsibility
Having daily chores can help teach children to be responsible. Every day they are to complete their chores before they get their tablet, TV, or whatever else it may be… They learn that work comes before play and that every home member has to help maintain it.
Learn Life Skills
These chores are things kids will have to do on their own one day. Learning how to do simple daily tasks will greatly benefit them when they are older and on their own. Honestly, do you know how many people I met when I first moved out alone who had no clue how to do laundry or run a dishwasher!?!?! As parents, if we do all the cleaning, cooking, and household chores, our kids will be ill-prepared for life in the real world. So teach your kids to use appliances safely, and they will already be better off than a lof of adults I know.
Teaches Earning and Financial Lessons
Yes, we make an allowance this is another topic of hot debate right now, but we love it. My daughter earns some money based on her chores. Having her earn her own money teaches her financial responsibility. She learns that she can earn money by working hard and that not doing her work means not getting paid. This allows her to spend her money on things she wants, but we also use this to teach her the benefits of saving. She knows she works hard for her money and wants to ensure she spends it on important things, not mindlessly.
And Yes, Mom Gets Help
Finally, yes, kids’ chores benefit moms in a way. My kids learn how to help out, making there a few fewer things on my to-do list. Now, the kids don’t always do an amazing job, and I often have to go after them and fix a little, but they are learning. I don’t see anything wrong with wanting my kids to pull their weight. They made a mess; they cleaned it up! I have so many other things I can do, especially since I work from home, besides cleaning up Legos and Barbies. Sometimes it may take me less time to clean up after them, but that doesn’t teach them anything..I don’t want to be that mom having to sue my 30-year-old kid to make him move out…
Making Kid’s Chores Easier with Homey
Homey is an app that I discovered recently, which has been a lifesaver when it comes to scheduling chores! It makes it super easy for parents to manage chores for the kids, add jobs, tasks, and give money as a reward!
What Homey Does
Homey allows parents to manage their kid’s chore lists with ease. No matter your child’s age, you can make it work for you! My daughter is 5, so I use a lot of photos in the chore assignment so she understands what to do.
You can add as many or as few tasks as you would like, assign an allowance, and even add extra jobs worth extra money!
One of my favorite features is that you can require photo proof of chore completion! Your kid finishes the chore, snaps a pick, and loads it in the app as proof.
If your kid is older, you can even attach their bank account for payment. Mine are young, so I use cash to pay out for completed chores. Homey does have some financial responsibility tools as well that I love too! You and your kids can set up ” Save, Spend, Donate” jars to help divide the money earned from completing the chores.
Homey has been a chore lifesaver in this house! Helping teach responsibility, fiscal responsibility, and accountability! You can check it out for yourself in the App Store for Android and Apple! Easy to customize and perfect for all ages!
Do you give your kids chores? If yes, do you also give them an allowance?
I really want to know because I had no clue that chores and allowances for kids have become a “taboo” topic in online mommy circles!
Jessi is the creative mind behind The Coffee Mom, a popular blog that combines parenting advice, travel tips, and a love for all things Disney. As a trusted Disney influencer and passionate storyteller, Jessi’s authentic insights and relatable content resonate with readers worldwide.
When I was young we all had our little chores which to be honest we hated but fast forward to when I left home, it was those skills that I utilise and was surprised people couldn’t even boil water.
My mum used to give me chores when I was young and I really did enjoy doing them, now that my son is turning 5 I want to start giving him some responsibility since he is starting to act all spoilt.
I just love this app! And I agree: kids NEED chores so they know they have to work for things. My kids have chores and sometimes I have to remind them to complete their tasks, but they eventually get it done.
I agree that they NEED chores too! Sometimes it is hard b/c it would be easier to just do it myself and not have to remind them 10000 times, but it is better for them to learn to do it themselves!
My boys do many chores as they know it is part of being a family. I dont pay them as they need to do chores first to get on the computer for the day.
yes! My daughter doesn’t get any screen time unless the shores are done either!
This sounds like a great app to help with handing out the chores and how cool is it kids can see how much they have earned by helping out.
Oh, this is cool! We have a chores app but I’ll have to check this out. I think it really helps. I’m one of five kids so we always had to do chores when I was a kid.
I don’t have a kids yet but this is great Idea nice post thanks for sharing!
It is so important to teach our kids to do a household chores. I agree with you doing some household chores teaching them how to be a responsible and how to be independent.
Chores really do help them learn. I mean, I knew people who moved out and could not do basic tasks and it shocked me!
I just installed the app and gave your article post to two moms I know have kids and could use this app. I think it’s a great idea. I also had to do chores, some I like and others I hated but it helped. I had the same realization as you, that young adults don’t know how to do basics stuff because their parents used to do it for them.
Yea, I hated chores as a kid, but really learned so much! Like I had a roommate who couldn’t do laundry or use a dishwasher!
I always had chores when I was younger, unfortunately I wasn’t paid lol my payment was a roof over my head and food to eat =]
I guess that works too!
I love that there is a app so the kids can see their earnings! prepares them a bit for the real world
I for sure had chores! I got some allowance, but that was more based on school and grades and my chores just had to be done lol
Kids learn best at their young age. The earlier we train them and give them responsibilities, the better.
I totally agree! We started giving little chores at around 2 and increased responsibility as my daughter got older.
My kids learned how to wash dishes, clothes and sweep the floor as early as preschool age. Just like my mom, she trained us at an early age, and so she’s proud that we can help her with the chores.
In my family all kids had chores, it made my mom’s life easier and in the longer run ours too! When I went to college I saw people struggle with the most basic of things like ironing clothes, basic cooking etc. I was already a champ thanks to all the chores.
My daughter has chores and she is only 4! She has to pick up her toys, help dry dishes, and little things like that. She gets a reward at the end of the month for helping.
I used to hate chores when I was a kid, especially that there was no reward at the end, haha. I actually never thought about chores, and of their role in a child’s life.
Totally agree with you. Kids doing chores teaches them a lot of lessons. That app seems handy and having to take a picture for proof is quite an interesting feature.
My kids all have chores. They hate them, but they have them.
What a nice post! I give my kids chores and I can tell its helping them with responsibilities and time management. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Ha Ha I have totally made that joke, but yea little ones aren’t usually efficient!
Well, they’re glued to their phones whenever they’re permitted. Might as well take advantage of that somehow. 🙂 I can see the kids liking this!
This sounds like a cool app! I give my kid house chores and I can see that it’s helping him responsibility and ownership of stuff he needs to do at home.
In my opinion, shores are a must for children. It is a way for them to learn responsibility while helping around the house.
This sounds like a great app to help with handing out the chores. I don’t have a kids yet but this is great Idea nice post thanks for sharing!
Really great tips and ideas. This is something I a, struggling with right now.
The APP is a neat idea!! We also do chores because it is great life skills. 🙂
This was a good pat!
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