Mom shares how to train kids to help with chores from a young age: 'We started at the age of 2'

Being a new mother can be exhausting and when one has to do all the tasks alone, it’s practically tiring. It would be nice to get help but parents often believe that kids are too young to help around or even perform basic chores in the household. Melissa Lea Hughes, who goes by @melissaleahughes on TikTok, thinks otherwise. The mom shared how she started teaching her children to do the simplest chores when they were just 2. She shared how toddlers can help with certain chores and imbibe the idea of helping out at a young age. In her video, Hughes said, “I have seen so many moms that are overwhelmed with all the things they’re doing. They’re just running around and picking up after their kids.”

She then suggested training children to do the simple little things they can manage. Highlighting her reasons for the same, she said, “It will take the load off of the work you have to do and it’s gonna give your kids life skills.” The mom also mentioned that it enables children to become self-sufficient and feel like they’re a part of a team. “They feel like they have a purpose in the home,” she added. Hughes was pointing towards the idea that helping and getting chores done with a parent is supposed to be normal and default.

The text in her video read, “We started at 2.” However, the mom mentioned that one can start as early as they feel like. In a follow-up video, Melissa went in-depth on how kids at such an age can be of help. She started by saying, “I’m a fun happy parent. When they were 18 months old, we started doing this. I had my kids scrape their food in the trash and put their plates in the sink.” Hughes then revealed that she did the same through a song. “Scrape your food in the trash, put your plate in the sink,” she sang. She remarked that they loved it and said, “They literally sang while putting their food in the trash and the plate in the sink. It was fun.” 

Revealing the reason behind the need to inculcate chores from the beginning, she said, “Kids don’t know what’s normal because you are their normal. So, if you just make it normal, fun and happy, they’re more likely to feel they have a purpose in the home.” She then added that once a certain chore is mastered, others can be gradually taught and added. “I taught my kids how to do their laundry and I did it with them.” The mom further stressed the need to make the entire event fun and cheerful and explained the reason behind doing chores so kids are well aware. 

Hughes said, “We have laundry on Thursdays and we do it together. It’s not like I’m a dictator, it’s just like, ‘This is what we do.’ Sometimes we watch movies when we do the laundry.” She recalled the fact that it is life skills that are being imparted to the children. Fellow moms were simply grateful for the idea. Though it doesn’t take off the load initially, it is bound to be a boon for both children and parents in the long run. @shmegs79 commented, “My boys put away their shoes and put the clothes in the hamper.” @jaclyn.mentalwellness said, “Yes! Train them and make it fun. They thrive on responsibility and purpose.”