I used to grumble every time I climbed up the window sill, wondering why other children got to play while I had to work hard…” “Then my mother left me speechless with just one sentence: ‘Other children can play as they like, but you’ll see who turns out better in the future.’
Years later, as I presented my year-end work report at a large company in China, I realized that my current success was built on a foundation of life skills cultivated from the age of five, when I had to put away toys, soothe my younger sister, wipe the table, and stop my brother from breaking vases.”
But does doing chores as a child truly change one’s destiny? According to a study, doing chores brings certain benefits to children, altering not the “starting line” of fate, but rather the “acceleration zone.”
Harvard University conducted a 75-year longitudinal study and came to a surprising conclusion: “Children who did chores at a young age not only tended to have more stable romantic relationships as adults, but also earned an average of 20% more than their peers.”
Why are chores so magical? Because they don’t just train skills, they shape character. Chores are “secretly training” children in three key areas.
Sense of Responsibility: A Character Trait Forged Over Time
A child who packs their school bag every day will naturally understand “I must take responsibility for my own things” as they grow up.
When children organize their belongings, they learn to consider what is necessary for the day ahead, from books to stationery.
Thus, it becomes evident that parental lectures on responsibility are less effective than hands-on experience and daily life lessons.
Practical lessons tend to leave a deeper impression and are more easily remembered. When children truly experience the process of preparing for a school day, they feel the excitement and joy of taking charge of their learning journey. This creates motivation for them to continue developing self-discipline and a sense of responsibility.
Hence, doing chores cultivates a sense of responsibility over time. When children engage in tasks like tidying their room, helping with cooking, or watering plants, they learn to complete assignments and understand that every job is important and deserves attention.
Delayed Gratification: Doing Things You Don’t Like But Have To
The notable aspect of chores is that they are tedious yet necessary. This is the reality of life. Not everything is perfect, and sometimes, even if we don’t like it, we still have to complete certain tasks.
Teaching children that life isn’t always easy is crucial. When they learn to accept that some tasks are essential, they develop the ability to face challenging situations in the future.
This helps them understand that they won’t always get to do what they want, and by accepting tasks they don’t desire, they prepare themselves for life’s challenges.
The notable aspect of chores is that they are tedious yet necessary.
The study also indicates that children who voluntarily spend 15 minutes doing chores each day are more likely to resist “short-term temptations” in the future.
Additionally, doing chores helps children build resilience. When faced with uninteresting tasks, they learn to work under pressure and complete assignments despite difficulties.
Self-Management: Life is the Ultimate Time Management Lesson
While washing dishes and listening to a story, a child can also make plans to play with friends later. This is an example of focus and time management. When children learn to allocate time for different activities, they develop life management and organizational skills, which are crucial for adulthood.
This self-management demonstrates the child’s development of the executive function of the brain. As they learn to divide time between studying, playing, and doing chores, they are honing their organizational skills and learning to prioritize tasks.
For instance, if a child decides to play with friends on the weekend instead of during the week, they must consider the time needed for studying or completing chores. This teaches them the importance of planning and time management.
Self-management demonstrates the development of the brain’s executive function.
In reality, not every child who does chores grows up to lead a successful life as intended, but these life skills are necessary and vital. Most importantly, they learn to take care of themselves in the future.
In the long journey of life, the starting line is important, but whether one reaches the finish line depends on each step taken, and those first steps often lie hidden among pots and pans in the kitchen.
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