Imagine this: you’re sitting at your desk, preparing for an important project, when you suddenly realize that all the discipline, time management skills, and patience you possess stem from your childhood years spent doing chores like washing windows, doing the dishes, or folding laundry.
This isn’t a work of fiction but a scientifically proven fact. Doing chores as a child not only shapes one’s character but also has a profound impact on their adult life.
The Surprising Benefits of Chores: 20% Higher Income as an Adult
A 75-year-long study by Harvard University surprisingly concluded that children who did chores grew up to have, on average, a 20% higher income than their peers. This is not a coincidence. Children who are guided by their parents to do chores from a young age tend to learn responsibility, time management, and how to face life’s challenges.
Minh Anh (28, Hanoi) shared her story: “As I grew up, I realized that simple tasks like sweeping the floor or doing the dishes when I was little not only saved my mother’s time but also taught me independence. This self-discipline has helped me overcome difficulties in my current job.”
Responsibility: An Essential Life Skill
Every child has probably complained about having to do chores. But in reality, each time they clean up, cook, or help take care of a younger sibling, they are learning to take responsibility for their actions.
Ha Anh (35, Danang) confided, “Doing chores from a young age taught me to balance my studies and other activities. I understood that to achieve my goals, I sometimes had to sacrifice some of the things I enjoyed.”
Children who are disciplined from a young age tend to have a higher sense of autonomy in life. When children pack their school bags, organize their toys, or clean their rooms, they not only learn independence but also develop a sense of responsibility. This will form the foundation for important decisions later in life.
Delayed Gratification: A Skill for Modern Life
Doing chores can sometimes be tedious for children, but it teaches them the valuable lesson of waiting and being patient.
“When my children were young,” shared Thu Thuy, a mother of two from Ho Chi Minh City, “I always encouraged them to do chores, even if they didn’t do them perfectly. What mattered was that they learned to work under pressure and accept the not-so-fun parts of life.”
According to research, children who are accustomed to doing chores tend to be better at resisting short-term temptations. This helps them develop financial management, study skills, and even build lasting relationships in the future.
Self-Management: Learning About Time and Priorities
Modern life demands that we manage our time effectively, and this can start with doing chores.
Thanh Tuyen (30, Can Tho) shared, “I teach my child how to allocate time between studying, playing, and doing chores. My child now knows how to schedule study and leisure time reasonably.”
Educational expert Nguyen Thi Lan Anh asserted, “The ability to self-manage time is an important life skill. When children learn to allocate time for various activities, they understand the importance of planning and prioritizing.”
Life Is a Long Journey, and It Starts in the Kitchen
Not every child who does chores will grow up to have a fulfilling life, but it is undoubtedly a necessary journey to build a solid future.
Psychologist David T. Lykken once said, “The joy of life is not about getting what you want but about becoming the best version of yourself.”
Doing chores is how children gradually become the best version of themselves.
“You may not like doing chores,” she continued, “but believe that it is shaping your life.”
Although doing chores can be boring, it teaches children about responsibility, patience, and time management. Believe that the pots and pans in the kitchen nourish not only their bodies but also their souls and guide their future.
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