This Navy dad’s 1990s chore list for an 8-year-old shows how different childhood used to be
Right from simple tasks like making the bed to scrubbing down the toilet, this dad was 'setting his son up for success'
Chores are assigned to children to help them learn how to look after themselves and gradually become more responsible individuals, but it isn't always an easy negotiation. Carl Randolph Jr. (@fatcarl_sp) shared a post on Threads of the list he was given when he was only eight years old. The thread shared on January 11 consisted of tasks given to him in the '90s by his dad, Carl Randolph Sr., a former Navyman, to be done without fail, as per Newsweek. Though the list included laundry, making his bed, and several other chores, Carl never felt “overwhelmed,” and many on the internet can impressively see why.
Carl wrote in his caption, “My dad sent me my chore list from when I was a kid... this sh*t started at 8 years old… my pop was the coolest man on earth, but he had hella structure and rules in the house.” The list was divided into daily and weekly duties. The daily schedule was further sectioned into “Before School” and “After School.” Along with this, he also had duties every Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The dad has strategically written everything to the T. The tasks before school included making the bed, eating breakfast, checking homework, and heading to school on time.
The “After School” tasks consisted of eight pointers, not just of chores or work, but also important bits of information he needed to share as part of his responsibility. Firstly, he had to notify his dad as soon as he got home without any excuse. He then had to get changed and put away his uniform in the right manner. This was followed by doing all the homework and getting it checked without any excuses. Shortly before 7 pm, Carl Jr. was taught to check about dinner and show up accordingly. The next pointer revealed that the boy had to be indoors by 9 pm if it was a school night. His day would end by ensuring there are no dishes undone or trash indoors, and then taking a shower before heading to bed prior to 10 pm. The dad was very clear about his instructions, noting down the time and details.
Every Monday, he had to take out the trash and replace the liners. On Fridays and Saturdays, he could have his time as long as he finished all his homework during the aforementioned time. Sunday was reserved for laundry and keeping school clothing ready. The monthly schedule was categorized into four weeks, with different chores every weekend. These included cleaning the bathroom, the kitchen, polishing the furniture, sweeping, cleaning windows, and the basement or other areas of the house in depth. It seemed to be a little extreme for an eight-year-old to follow, but Carl Jr. abided by them all. He mentioned, “I remember this being actually quite easy.” He noted that since it was just him and his dad at home, he had to step up, but it was never overwhelming.
"We had fun doing these duties, but he didn’t play about getting business done or breaking rules," the man recalled. While the chores seem overtly extreme, many agreed that given their situation and the fact that the dad’s primary aim was discipline, it was a pretty great schedule. Many adults even considered holding on to it for themselves. According to Elizabeth Harris, PhD, a child and adolescent psychologist at University Hospitals, having kids join in for chores can significantly aid their growth and development. “Chores aren’t just about keeping a clean home. They help children build confidence, empathy, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. These are skills that serve them well, far into adulthood,” she explained.
There are emotional as well as cognitive benefits in addition to learning tasks. Harris noted, “Kids who have chores are typically better self-managers. They develop stronger working memory, better emotional regulation, and more mental flexibility.” And many parents and adults agreed that there’s nothing better than having a routine that helps you learn and gives stability. @allicallibandracks wrote, “Though this is strict, it's all reasonable. There are no ridiculous expectations, just a good dad who wants to instill self-discipline into his children. There's love there.” @eminor.916 added, “Your dad set you up for success! This is dope! Proceeds to take notes.”
You can follow Carl Randolph Jr. (@fatcarl_sp) on Threads for more content on lifestyle.
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