The Hard Shoulder The Kids Clinic: How to to encourage kids to help out around the house
Aug 25, 2025
Join journalist Jen Hogan, known for her insights in The Irish Times and as host of the Conversations with Parents podcast, as she shares effective tips on getting kids involved in household chores. She discusses how chores can instill responsibility and life skills while balancing expectations with rewards. Discover manageable tasks for children and the joy they can find in helping out, like caring for pets. Jen emphasizes the importance of appreciation and a family rota to ensure fairness in contributions.
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Chores Build Long-Term Life Skills
- Teaching kids chores builds life skills linked to later success according to research mentioned by Jen Hogan.
- Jen argues that contributing to household tasks prepares children for adulthood and reduces parental burden.
Use Rewards Strategically
- Don't pay children for basic tasks like making their bed, but consider linking pocket money to extra responsibilities.
- Offer non-financial rewards like family time or activities as collective payback for chores.
Lowered Expectations Hurt Skill-Building
- Modern parents often lower expectations and spare children chores due to busy schedules and guilt.
- Jen argues this softness reduces children's opportunities to learn practical skills and share household benefit.