Do You Think Kids Should Do Household Chores?
By DB
@dgobucks226 (37561)
February 6, 2026 1:17pm CST
I remember doing certain chores around the house growing up. I wonder if times have changed or do parents today require their children to do certain tasks to help out. Those against may argue to let kids be kids not servants. Those in favor may argue it provides the child with structure & rules in the house along with responsibility.
1. What do you think? If you agree what types of chores should today's kids do?
2. Should children be paid for doing these tasks.
3. Did you have to do certain tasks around the house growing up? Were you paid for doing them?
4. Can you think of any other benefits to having kids doing chores?
Photo- Happy Families
10 people like this
11 responses
@LindaOHio (217146)
• United States
7 Feb
Children should absolutely have chores to do. Sitting and playing video games while mom does all the work teaches a child nothing. I used to get an allowance of $.10 a week. When I was older and started doing chores, I did not receive an allowance.
3 people like this

@LindaOHio (217146)
• United States
10 Feb
@dgobucks226 I remember doing the dusting and vacuuming. My mother kept a pristine house. There was never even a newspaper lying around.
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@dgobucks226 (37561)
•
9 Feb
Yes, very true about the video games. And they spend so much time on their computers with social media.
Types of chores children might do depending on their age is making the bed, doing the dishes, emptying the trash can, and on assigned days helping with doing laundry and cleaning the bathroom. Younger kids could pick up their toys.
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@LadyDuck (496290)
• Italy
7 Feb
Of course kids should do simple chores, I did when i was a kid.
I was not paid, my parents thought we had to learn to help our mother and it was not for money, but because in a family everyone helps. The benefits are all for kids, they learn what to expect when they will be adults.
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (37561)
•
9 Feb
I agree. Chores make kids better know how to care for themselves. What types of chores did you do to help out around the house?
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@LadyDuck (496290)
• Italy
10 Feb
@dgobucks226 - I dried the dishes and put them away, I made my bed and keep my bedroom neat and decluttered.
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@AmbiePam (115998)
• United States
6 Feb
Kids should absolutely get chores to do. I have seen way too many kids turn out lazy because their parents did everything for them. They need structure, and to learn responsibility. I was given an allowance, but I did way more chores than just clean my room. By 12, I was cooking meals. I mean we had been doing laundry at six. And, this way, my parents never had us asking for money. If we couldn’t buy it with our allowance then we just weren’t going to get it.
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@dgobucks226 (37561)
•
9 Feb
Excellent comments! Chores make kids better know how to care for themselves. In addition, chores build self-esteem and confidence.
The allowance provides an incentive, but also teaches them about earning and spending money wisely.
@dgobucks226 (37561)
•
9 Feb
I agree. According to Psychology research demonstrates that kids who have regular chores do better in school, have higher life satisfaction, and better know how to care for themselves. In addition, chores build self-esteem and confidence.
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@PinkFloydFan (1187)
• United States
6 Feb
I had a ton of chores at home, cutting the grass was one. My brother did the front yard and I did the backyard. My parents never touched a lawn mower after I was about 10 yrs old. Never got paid. I remember telling them my friends got paid money, but my dad said something like "Do I charge you for living here?" but worse, I had to work at my dad's business, doing the dirty job. Never got paid. Again, I'd mention it, and he'd respond with "Didn't you eat and drink? That costs money".
I think it should be based on the situation and circumstances. If a kid is studying for a final exam, maybe someone else should pick up the slack temporarily. Or if someone is hurt.
I think kids should do their chores, but I also think parents should show some kind of appreciation, ask nicely, and say "Good job" once in a while.
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (37561)
•
9 Feb
Your dad had a good point about not receiving money for work you did. You got room and board.
That's an interesting view. Parents should be careful to not overdo it, realizing kids have homework and other social activities like sports and friendships.
That's an interesting view. Parents should be careful to not overdo it, realizing kids have homework and other social activities like sports and friendships. @kaylachan (83646)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Feb
I don't have children, but I did have chores growing up. Maybe nothing to extravagent, due to my blindness, but still I had to wash one meals dishes at least. (mostly because I was in school), and I was on heavy meds for the first half of my life.
But, I do think children should do chores. I think children need to learn a sense of responsibility. I think children need to learn to take pride in their things and learn to pick up after themselves. And, no, they should not get paid for doing life skills they'll need in the real world.
We shouldn't rely on or expect school to teach our kids how to live in the real world.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (37561)
•
9 Feb
Very nicely answered! You covered all my questions in a concise manner. I second your opinions. That's for the input. 
@toniganzon (75313)
• Philippines
6 Feb
Yes they should as it helps them become responsible. Even as simple as fixing their own toys, cleaning their own room, making their bed.
I have four other siblings. 5 kids in the family and each of us have our own household chores.
And even when I as an elementary student, we were assigned to do chores. Students in a classroom were divided into 5 group and each group were assigned a day to clean the classroom every morning just before the class started.
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@dgobucks226 (37561)
•
9 Feb
As you alluded to, chores help build life skills, self-esteem and confidence. I agree, picking up after yourself is not asking a lot.
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@JESSY3236 (21821)
• United States
10 Feb
I didn't have chores when I was growing up. My grandmother raised me.
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@dgobucks226 (37561)
•
14 Feb
You had it very good chore wise. Your grandmother was a saint, lol. (just kidding)
Types of chores children might do depending on their age is making the bed, doing the dishes, emptying the trash can, and on assigned days helping with doing laundry and cleaning the bathroom. Younger kids could pick up their toys.
I had to pick up my toys, also make my bed and take out the trash when I got older.
Thanks for responding!
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@Traceyjayne (9263)
• United Kingdom
21 Feb
I think children should do chores …washing up, cleaning cars, etc
It helps them learn the value of money and gives them responsibility
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@dgobucks226 (37561)
•
22 Feb
I agree with your reasoning. Learning responsibility and not having things given to them is important. Chores make kids better know how to care for themselves. In addition, chores build self-esteem and confidence.
@pitsipeahie (5605)
•
7 Feb
Absolutely! I had a lot of chores growing up. Both of my parents were working, and since I’m the eldest, I helped a lot with household chores and in looking after my younger sibling. We’re not trying to raise a generation of weak, fragile kids, and we’re definitely not abusing them by asking them to help. “Let kids be kids” doesn’t mean letting them grow up without responsibility. Parents are there to teach their kids how to live life, and this is taught early on as kids, where their values are still being shaped and formed. It begins at home-from the basic, as basic as doing simple things like household tasks. These teach them discipline, teamwork, respect and many other important values as they grow.
As for getting paid for chores, I don’t think kids should only help because there’s money involved, lol. Otherwise, it’s like saying parents should charge them for everything they eat, wear, and study—which doesn’t make sense. And besides, that's not what we are trying to teach them. Money ain't the motivation here. What matters more is that kids feel appreciated. Simple words like “thank you,” praise, or small rewards once in a while are enough. It doesn’t always have to be a formal payment.
In the long run, this helps them become more independent, responsible, and prepared for real life.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (37561)
•
9 Feb
A very thoughtful response! I second those comments.
Types of chores children might do depending on their age is making the bed, doing the dishes, emptying the trash can, and on assigned days helping with doing laundry and cleaning the bathroom. Younger kids could pick up their toys.
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