Teaching Children How to Work

July 28, 2025

“We learned to work growing up!”

My grandpa said this phrase so often about his childhood days on the Michigan potato farm that it became iconic to him. Barn chores before sunup, school days in a one-room schoolhouse, and chores after school were the cycle of my grandfather’s life, leaving a less-than-desired amount of play time for a growing, energetic boy (though he certainly had his share of stories and mischief).

While in some ways I admire the old-fashioned farm life, deep down in my heart, I am grateful not to bear the back-breaking work of a farm, constantly wondering if we would break even and survive another year financially. I have come to humbly accept and lift words of gratitude for the life that God has given my family and me, yet no matter the blessings and conveniences, we still need to work because work is God’s plan for every able-bodied person.

As my good friend has said, “Teaching children how to work is hard work.” Yes, dear friend, you are so very right. In an age when the distractions are many and most families don’t have to toil under the sun just to eat, it can be a real challenge to teach our children how to work. Yet it can still be done, and if we hope to reach into the future with truth, dignity, and courage, we must teach our children how to work.

I hope to start a mini-series on teaching children how to work, and today’s post will be the kickstart of this series. Today I just want to put some encouraging thoughts and tips straight into your hand without being overly philosophical about work and a strong work ethic. Perhaps the whys of work can be a post for another day, but for now, I want to encourage some parents or guardians who may be at a loss for how to motivate the young ones in their care.

I treasure this picture of the Michigan barn where my grandpa spent many hours.

I have observed and experienced the following tidbits of wisdom to be true in my own family, and I have observed this wisdom in action in other families that I admire and want to replicate. I hope these thoughts are a blessing and encouragement to you.

 

Model a strong work ethic

The starting place to teaching my children how to work is to first model for them a diligent work ethic. My children need to see me folding the laundry before I expect them to fold a load. My children need to see me scrubbing the bathroom before I expect them to do the same. I must first demonstrate what diligent work looks like if I am ever to garner any respect and attention.

Work alongside of my children

Very quickly I realized as a new mother that I could not just delegate tasks to very young children and then leave the room. I have learned to demonstrate, guide, and oversee. Even to this day, I do not just tell my children, “Go clean your room.” I go with them and manage their tasks because they are not mature enough to take a rather nebulous command of “Clean your room” and break it down into tangible tasks. Even during our daily chore time, we work together, side-by-side.

Set Clear Expectations

So many times I have had a picture in my mind of what I wanted my children to accomplish. After a few hasty words of instruction, I released them to their tasks but was quickly disappointed that my children had not done what I told them. In reality, I was not clear and precise with my commands. I have found it’s almost better to overexplain. Something that really helps one of my children in particular is to say back to me what my command was. This verbal narration back to me helps me understand if my child really comprehended my command.

Give Specific Praise

I have found myself dissatisfied with some of the work my children were quite proud of, but then I have to remember that I have been doing certain tasks for decades more than my children. Many times, the tasks are brand new to them. Instead of perfectionistically nit-picking them, I have had to train myself to find something kind and assuring to say to them for the job enthusiastically done.

“Thank you for sweeping up your crumbs with a good attitude.”

“I love how you got right to work dusting your bookshelf.”

“Thank you for reorganizing your closet even when mommy didn’t ask you to.”

Words of affirmation will do far more to lift the spirit and motivate the attitude than a harsh, cutting comment.

Be patient and persevere

It takes years to teach children how to work. At the outset, that sounds discouraging, but we as parents (and guardians) should take fresh courage knowing that learning to work takes time. We need to give ourselves and our children grace in this journey of learning to work. The key to teaching children how to work is simply not to quit. Keep at it, mama. Keep at it, papa.

When I look back on my own life, how long did it take me to learn how to do certain tasks well? A while. How long did it take me to develop a strong work ethic? Embarrassingly too long, and in fact, my work ethic is ever growing.

---

Love and patience and continued, daily effort will take a parent and child far down the road of learning to work together. Christ doesn’t leave us alone in our efforts to serve Him and work for Him. The Gentle Teacher yokes up with us and shoulders the burden together with us. How much more we as parents and guardians can come lovingly alongside of our children to teach them and prepare them for whatever adventures and journeys lie before them.

-Ashley

Personal Disclosure

As the author of Ashley Qurollo Blog, all opinions are my own. Any possible applications are universal in nature, not directed at any one individual or people group. My sincere desire is to help others by sharing what I am learning. Nothing stated on this blog is ever intended to hurt others. Ashley Qurollo, owner of Ashley Qurollo Blog and Website, is not held liable in any way for any application of the ideas and thoughts stated here.

#work #working #parent #parenting #child #children #kids #howto #teach #teaching #ethic #workethic #strong #strongworkethic #howtowork #oldfashioned #skills #wisdom #life #living #barn #farm #farmhouse #farmer #potato #michigan #grandpa #diligent #diligence #patience #perserverance #persevere #try #tryagain #homeschool #homeschooling #discplined #truth #dignitity #courage #future #journey #adventure #christ #yoke #team #gentle #kindness #words #affirmation #encourage #encouragement #dusting #vacuuming #cleaningthebathroom #bathroom #house #livingroom #mop #chores #choretime #daily #dailychores