15 Responsibilities You Might Not Realize You Can Hand Off to Your Kid
Medically reviewed by Samantha MannMedically reviewed by Samantha MannMost of us know in theory that giving our kids responsibilities at home is a good idea. Experts agree that assigning your children daily responsibilities should be a priority, because it has significant benefits both now, and in the future.Having a list of daily tasks “helps children develop a sense of routine and structure, and gives them a sense of security and predictability in their lives,” says Lisa Anderson, LCSW, licensed clinical social worker and the clinical director of Brooks Healing Center. “Teaching them how to be responsible also allows them to see themselves as valuable contributors to the family, which can boost their self-esteem.”Here’s the icing on the cake—doling out daily responsibilities to your kids means fewer responsibilities for you. It’s a win-win situation. Ahead, experts give out advice about age-appropriate responsibilities you can ask your kids to take on.
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Responsibilities for Young Children For young kids, “routine and one-on-one engagement with a loving adult are essential for healthy development,” says Priya Rednam-Waldo, LMSW, a licensed therapist who specializes in supporting new parents and who is a parent of four children, ages 4, 6, 8, and 13. Giving little kids responsibilities teaches problem-solving skills, self-worth, curiosity, and pride, Redman-Waldo adds.Here are some responsibilities to consider.Getting Dressed On Their OwnTeaching a small child how to pick out their clothes and get dressed encourages skills like problem-solving, self-care, and self-expression, says Rednam-Waldo. “Even if clothes are mismatched or it takes a few tries to get an arm in each sleeve, choosing an outfit and getting dressed helps develop a child’s motivation to explore, learn, and build new abilities,” she assures.Tidying Their BedA simple task like tidying a bed—spreading the blanket out on the bed, straightening the pillows—is a great job for a small child, says Michelle English, LCSW, licensed therapist and co-founder and executive clinical manager at Healthy Life Recovery. “This teaches them to take care of their personal spaces and belongings,” she says.Keep in mind: Young kids might not fully make their beds, but tidying their beds is a good first step in learning how to successfully make a bed down the road.Helping Put Away ToysFor young kiddos, making it a routine to put away toys after playtime is a perfect responsibility. This activity can help your kiddo understand concepts like organization and cleanliness. “It also teaches them a sense of ownership over their belongings and helps them learn they are responsible for maintaining their personal space,” Anderson explains.Helping to Set The Table (With Help)Preschool kids are in the process of developing a sense of autonomy and may want to complete tasks individually, says Stefani Hart CCLS, certified child life specialist and founder of Hart to Heart Family Support LLC. Giving them a responsibility like setting the table (with the help of a grownup) will fulfill their desire for autonomy and for accomplishing a task. It also gives them a sense of community and purpose, Hart adds.Putting Laundry In The HamperEven small kids can learn to put their dirty clothes in the hamper. “It seems like such a simple task, but I think it's a great way to teach kids about personal accountability,” says Stephanie Edenburgh, mom of three and the CEO of Bizzie Mommy. “When they're consistent with this, it reinforces the idea that they have a role to play in the household, which sets them up for bigger responsibilities as they grow.”Responsibilities for School-Aged Children School-aged kids are focused on making new friendships, exploring interests, and navigating the larger world outside their family, says Rednam-Waldo. “It's important to teach school-aged kids that what they do in life matters and has impacts on others,” she says.Consider these responsibilities for your school-aged kiddo. Setting the Dinner Table (Eventually, Without Help)By the time they’re school-aged, most kids can set the table for family meals—with help at first, and then eventually on their own. “This responsibility teaches them about cooperation and the significance of shared family activities,” English says. “It also introduces them to basic etiquette and the importance of contributing to family routines.”Clearing Their DishesHaving a child clear their dishes after eating may seem like a small thing, but it conveys an important message to children. “Although dishes might seem insignificant and children may push back, this responsibility reassures them that they matter in their home and to their family,” Rednam-Waldo says.Packing Their Backpack for SchoolHaving your child assemble their backpack for school teaches them to be responsible for their own stuff, along with showing them how to have respect for their belongings. And if they don’t take this responsibility seriously? “If their backpack is not packed correctly or they refuse, this is also an opportunity for a natural consequence to aid them in learning how important it is to take care of their belongings and stay organized each day,” Hart offers.Cleaning Their RoomMaintaining a clean and tidy room is essential because it helps kids take ownership of their space. It also teaches that having a tidy space is calming and feels good, says Tammy Gold, LCSW, licensed therapist and parenting coach at the Therapeutic Parenting Method. “Making your bed, putting away clothes on the floor, or opening shades are simple things you can do not only to help [your parents], but also help yourself feel good and have a good start to your day,” Gold describes.Helping Take Care Of Pets“Once your child is school-aged, they can take on the responsibility of feeding a pet, which lets them learn empathy and the importance of caring for others,” says Anderson. This responsibility also teaches consistency and reliability, since your pet will depend on you for meals. “It’s a powerful way for children to understand the impact of their actions on another living being and to help them develop into compassionate adults,” says Anderson.Responsibilities for Tweens and Teens Tweens and teens are in the throes of puberty, which comes with significant physical, mental, and emotional changes that can be challenging at times. “With routine responsibilities, open conversations, and clear boundaries, tweens and teens can navigate these changes and grow into healthy, confident adolescents ready for early adulthood,” says Rednam-Waldo.Ahead, you can find some responsibilities appropriate for tweens and teens.LaundryRednam-Waldo recommends that tweens and teens start doing their own laundry. “Doing their own laundry teaches teens to plan, learn life skills, complete multi-step tasks, and experience independence,” she says. Make sure your kid also folds and puts away their clothes—leaving clean laundry in a heap on the floor is no fun for anyone.Washing DishesTweens and teens are perfectly capable of washing dishes and/or loading the dishwasher. Sure, they may not load the dishwasher perfectly at first, and their pot-scrubbing skills may not be up to par, but washing dishes is an essential task that they can learn, and one that they’ll definitely need as they become adults.Cleaning Their BathroomNo one likes cleaning bathrooms, but it’s a task that you can feel free to offload to your teen. “For tweens and teens, cleaning the bathroom is a process that requires attention to detail and an understanding of hygiene,” Anderson points out. “While this is not a task that many teens want to perform, it teaches them the importance of maintaining cleanliness, not just for themselves, but for others who share the space.”Taking out the TrashThis is another chore that no one usually enjoys, but one that teens totally can do. You can have them be responsible for their own room’s trash, or their bathroom trash. But you can also have them take out the family trash either daily or on a rotating basis.Taking Care of a PetTweens and teens can be responsible for caring for a family pet—going beyond the basics of feeding them, but also take on tasks like walking a dog, changing a cat’s litter, or grooming the pet's fur. These tasks teach them about commitment and compassion, English says. “It also helps them develop a sense of accountability, as they are responsible for their pet's well-being,” she says.The Bottom LineHere’s the thing: Giving your children these responsibilities isn’t without challenges. Just because you say that your kids should do these things, doesn’t mean they will do them. Experts agree that you should stick to routines nonetheless, rewarding your kids when they fulfill their responsibilities, and gently steering them back to the routine if they veer off track.That said, you don’t have to manage this on your own. If you are finding it a struggle to get your child to listen to you or follow through with simple, age-appropriate tasks, you can always reach out to a health care provider or a child therapist for advice. For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Parents.
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