A licensed pediatrician and father of five has shared his “unexpected secret” to raising “good” kids.
Jonathan Williams from Layton, Utah recently went viral TikTok after revealing the “one, little thing” that parents can implement in their children’s lives, which he insists will make them more “empathetic to others” and ultimately “happier” as they mature.
According to the doctor — who has amassed more than 533,000 followers for sharing “evidence-based parenting tips” and advice on “children’s health” — it all comes down to household chores.
He explained in the video, which has been viewed nearly a million times, that helping your kids around the house gives them a “sense of self-worth” and prepares them for future “success.”
A board-certified pediatrician and father of five has shared his ‘unexpected secret’ to raising ‘well-rounded’ kids
Jonathan Williams, of Utah, revealed the “one, little thing” that parents can implement in their children’s lives that he says will make them more “empathetic to others.”
According to the doctor – who has amassed more than 533,000 followers for sharing “evidence-based parenting tips” – it all comes down to household chores (stock image)
He also pointed out that it forces young people to “see the needs of other people around them” and “realize that they are contributing to a larger ecosystem.”
He explained in the video, which has been viewed nearly a million times, that helping your kids around the house gives them a “sense of self-worth” and prepares them for future “success.”
“Researchers have found that if you implement this little thing in your child’s life, they are more likely to be happy as adults, have more empathy for other people, and be more successful in their careers,” he began. in the now viral TikTok.
“Here’s why: Letting your kids do chores gives them a sense of self-worth and helps them realize they’re contributing to a larger ecosystem.”
“They become more selfless, they become more willing and able to see the needs of other people around them.
‘Chores also strengthen the family bond with siblings and with parents. And chores help instill a better work ethic, which translates quite well into school and career success.”
In the video, Dr. Williams credited a 75-year-old Harvard study known as the Grant Study, which followed a group of men since the late 1930s.
According to the Boston spherefound that “willingness and ability to work in childhood—indicated by having a part-time job, taking on household chores, or participating in school clubs or sports—was a better predictor of mental health in adulthood than social class, family problems and other factors.’
Dr. Williams jokingly concluded in his video, “My advice is to give that kid a toilet brush and watch the scholarships roll in.”
He also pointed out that it forces young people to “see the needs of other people around them” and “realize that they are contributing to a larger ecosystem.”
Dr. Williams jokingly concluded in his video: ‘My advice is to give that kid a toilet brush and just watch the scholarships roll in’
Speaking on the subject on the occasion of Today Parents, he explained, “Children who are expected to help naturally begin to see the needs of those around them and become less self-centered.”
Unfortunately, according to a 2014 questionnaire of 1,000 US adults, only 28 percent of parents said they give their children chores.
The pediatrician and father of five – whose own children range from five to 14 – also spoke on the subject in response to Today parents, and he reiterated its importance.
“Children who are expected to help around the house naturally begin to see the needs of those around them and become less self-centered,” he explained.
He told the outlet that it’s vital to give your kids tasks that affect the whole house, not just their own personal space.
“When there’s a sense of ‘we’re all in this together’ as a family, no matter what that family looks like, there really is magic,” he added.
“It’s something parents can do for free and will have clear long-term benefits for their child.”
If your child complains that he has to help, don’t get discouraged, because you are certainly not alone.
He encouraged parents to try to make the chores fun by turning them into games or having them do something that makes them feel more “adult.”
“Maybe when you’re putting away groceries, put away any blue stuff or anything that feels cold first,” he suggested.
“A lot of school-age kids crave responsibility and they want to do things that older kids and adults do, so give them chores that make them feel more grown up.”
However, he emphasized the importance of assigning a chore that is not too difficult for them because if it is above their level of development it could backfire and have the opposite effects.
Many people flooded Dr. William’s TikTok with their thoughts on the matter, and many agreed with him
“We don’t want to overload kids,” he said, before concluding, “Most people are doing better than they think… trying our best.”
Many people flooded Dr. William’s TikTok with their thoughts on the matter, and many agreed with him.
“I never really did chores as a kid and now I’m struggling to keep up with housework and feel like I don’t know how to clean a lot of things,” one person wrote.
Another shared, “My daughter just got a full scholarship and started cleaning toilets at age six.”
Another parent added, “My daughter is 19 months old and I try to involve her in all the chores around the house with me. She likes to help.’
“This makes me feel like I’m winning a little bit because mine have been doing chores since they were little,” read a fourth comment. “That’s how they earn their pocket money.”
“My kids have chores. I tell them, “How do they know how to clean as an adult if they didn’t do it as a kid?” another user said.