Many parents give chores to their children to help them develop a sense of achievement, feel they are an important to the family and to teach them responsibility. Having responsibilities helps children build social skills, basic discipline and organizational abilities. It builds character and aids them in learning to budget time.

Chores normally start out as helping mommy or daddy pick up toys, rake leaves, put their clothes in the hamper. Kids will learn to begin, work through and complete a task. As they get older, they learn time management, problem solving by learning where to start a larger job and establishing priorities. Children should be given responsibilities such as setting the table, taking clothes out of the dryer and putting them into a basket. They can learn to fold wash clothes and towels or sort clothing that belongs to different members of the family. It is important that children have seen parents or older siblings doing chores. They weren't born knowing how to start a task and follow it to completion. Chores should be age appropriate and given assistance as needed. Working side by side with a sibling or parent can be motivating and serves as modeling how you want the chore completed. Along with the everyday chores that children are given, many parents have bonus chores or chores for which the child can be paid.

It is true that children are busy with their academic work, after school activities and ,need time to dream, play and relax. However, they need to develop independent living skills, the ability to help with others and willingness to be part of a team. These characteristics will be invaluable in college and at work.