“Mom, can I help you?” Those are the sweet words I hear from my five-year-old son every time I prepare to clean the house. From vacuuming and doing the dishes to tackling laundry, my little one is always eager to lend a helping hand. And it’s hard for me to say no.
By letting him be mom’s “big helper,” he not only keeps the house clean but also builds his self-confidence and independence. When it comes to my seven-year-old daughter, she is equally as excited to roll up her sleeves and help around the house in any way she can.
Growing up, I used to think certain chores were designated for specific genders, but I now see that cooking, cleaning, yard work, and car care can be enjoyed and handled by anyone, regardless of gender. For me, gender-free chores are all about teaching essential life skills and fostering responsibility and independence within my children. A fair and balanced approach to chores is not only more fun, but it can offer new learning opportunities for kids.
With that being said, here are some chores that I believe should be neutral to boys and girls:
Cooking
My son helps with the cooking by washing vegetables and stirring ingredients, which teaches him about different foods and basic kitchen safety. My daughter, being older, loves to measure ingredients and read recipes, enhancing her math and reading skills. Cooking together not only sprinkles in more excitement but also instills a sense of teamwork and accomplishment when we share the meal we prepared.
Dishes
When we do the dishes, my son loves to play with the bubbles and rinse the plates, turning it into a water play activity. My daughter takes on the responsibility of helping me load the dishwasher and drying some of the hand-washed items.
This chore teaches them about cleanliness, organization, and structure, making it a practical and enjoyable part of our routine.
Laundry
My son helps with the laundry by sorting the clothes into the appropriate piles, highlighting his categorization skills, while my daughter likes to operate the washing machine and fold the clothes, enhancing her motor skills and attention to detail.
We often turn folding clothes into a matching game, pairing socks and organizing items, which makes the task more enjoyable and educational. For my son, sorting colors and matching socks also helps with his fine motor skills.
Organizing Shoes + Shelves
My kids enjoy arranging their shoes neatly and finding creative ways to organize their belongings on the shelves. Doing so teaches them the importance of organization and gives them a sense of accomplishment as they see their space transform into an orderly environment. It’s a chance for them to take charge of their space, ensuring everything has its own place.
Vacuuming
In our home, vacuuming becomes a fun game. My son loves to race his toy vacuum cleaner, trying to keep up with me, while my daughter enjoys maneuvering the real vacuum around furniture and seeing the immediate results of her work.
This chore helps them understand the importance of keeping the floors clean and gives them a sense of satisfaction when they see how much dirt they’ve collected.
Yard Work
I’m proud to say I’m a grass-cutting momma. My kids enjoy watching me perform various outdoor chores and being included in other activities like digging dirt, gardening, and watering the flowers. They are always over the moon about pitching in with yard work. It’s our time to slow down, reconnect with nature, and just feel grounded. Not to mention, being outside is a great way for my kids to burn off all that extra energy!
My cleaning philosophy is this: You make a mess, you pitch in to clean it up. Hopefully, my approach will help my kids learn necessary life skills, equality, and independence. While society faces many gender-related issues, gender-free chores are something I think many of us can agree on. As time continues to reshape our realities, I believe it’s more important than ever to equip children with the tools and know-how to become more adaptable and pragmatic people.
