Creative Child April 2020 | Page 29

Participate in chores. Chores give kids a sense of responsibility, accountability, and belonging. One longitudinal study, done over a period of 25 years, found that the best predictor for young adults’ success in their mid-20s was whether they participated in household tasks at age 3 or 4. Those early shared responsibilities extended to a sense of responsibility in other areas of their lives. Chores are a great way to contribute. Whether it’s helping put toys away, taking out the trash, being the light monitor, or helping to set the table, giving back to the family through chores teaches kids to take the focus off themselves. Kids who participated in chores were found to be happier. Just as our parental love grows for our children the more we invest in them, so will our kids love for the family grow the more they invest in the family.