The benefits of families working together are so many! Some people cringe at the idea of kids participating in work or chores. I get it, the fear of overworking a child, a child not having a childhood, child slave labor, and such. The reality is, intentional Christ focused families are not doing these things to their children. Families are working together, with a good balance of chores/work, school, and play. A huge benefit of kids and parents working together is the bonding that happens as well as giving the kids’ a sense of accomplishment in completing a task, being a part of the team.
1. Builds Stronger Relationships
Working together allows for detailed communication. It allows the parent to demonstrate and teach the child how a task is done. Passing down knowledge from parent to child is bonding. It forms a spirit of gratitude. When a child becomes an adult and uses skills learned from a parent, every time they do that skill they will think of who taught it to them. They will be grateful that they had that learning experience that gave them the ability to complete the task. A example could be framing and sheet rocking their basement. I know I myself am grateful that my father in law taught my husband these skills.
2. Develops New Skills
Parents and children can learn from each other, and both can acquire new skills that they may not have learned otherwise. For example, when I’m in the kitchen and my little ones want to help me bake, we both learn from one another. If you have ever worked with little ones in the kitchen fighting over who gets to dump the next ingredient in to the bowl, you know what I’m talking about. You get the opportunity to learn patience! You get to direct the kids in taking turns. The kids get taught not only how to bake, but also how to share, to be kind, to listen to instructions. This is applicable to every skill learned.
3. Responsibility
Children who with with their parents learn to take responsibility for themselves and their actions. When you teach a child how to do a job, you are giving them the responsibility to complete the job the way they were taught to do it. They delight in doing a job well done. One day while I was running one of my older kids to track, the three older kids (9-13yo) at home made chocolate chip cookies. I was comfortable with them doing so because I had taught them the proper way and knew they were responsible enough to complete the task without me being present. They made the best cookies and we all delighted in the fruit of their labor!
4. Self-Esteem
When children work with their parents on shared projects, they feel like they are contributing to something meaningful. This can boost their self-confidence and self-esteem. Recently we redid an area of our front yard. Originally we had put some rocks from our land there to keep the weeds down. It was a short term solution until we were ready to landscape it. We were finally ready, and all the kids from ages 15 down to 2 were glad to pitch in. They moved the rocks in to the bucket with my husband, then my husband moved the bucket and dumped the rocks where we wanted them. It was a simple task, but the 2 year old was thrilled to be a big boy participating with everyone else. That is how you build self esteem. Sprinkle in praise too! The younger you start them, the better.
5. Parents’ Mentorship and Guidance
Who better to mentor your child then you? Children can benefit from their parents’ experience and knowledge. Kids ask so many questions, and it is important that they get the answers from you. You are their safe space. You are the one who was given to them to lead and guide. One of the most important things you can mentor and guide your kids in is biblical truths. This foundation will play a vital role in every single aspect of their lives.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 And these words, which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkers by the way, and when thou lies down, and when thou risest up.
Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
6. Encourages Teamwork and Collaboration
Working together can foster a sense of camaraderie and cooperation. This can prepare kids for success in future group-oriented environments. Teamwork and collaboration are key in many jobs. Whether your child becomes an engineer or a homemaker, these skills are necessary. Working together in harmony toward the same goal is much easier than being against one another and working begrudgingly.
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Colossians 3:23-34 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
7. Fulfillment
Working together on shared goals can bring a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction to both parents and children. My kids have participated in a kid’s entrepreneur market for the past few years. The whole process involves working together. They decide what they are going to sell, how much they are going to sell it for, and design flyers in Canva. Upfront it is hard, it is labor intensive. BUT, once they get there and everything is set up, that first sell is so fulfilling. Every sell that rolls in afterwards reaffirms to them that all the hard work and planning that went in to it was worth it.
The benefits of families working together offers numerous benefits for parents and children. They learn from one another, build stronger relationships, foster responsibility, and inspire a sense of fulfillment and purpose in their work. Make sure you are providing plenty of opportunities for this to happen. Whether it is at home or through other activities done together, foster a love of learning and teaching. Learn patience, learn to slow down and take the time to teach this next generation.
What benefits of families working together have you experienced in your own family?
Great reminders for why we slow down and involve our kids in all things! So often kids are viewed as getting in the way but the reality is we are to be teaching them the way! I loved how you put this together and how you apply it to real life!
Thank you! I love your input as well!