How To Help Children Understand 'Invisible Load' of Managing A Household

When we were growing up, managing a household looked like a cakewalk to us, all we had to do was wash the dishes, do the laundry, and do other household duties like taking out the trash etc. And to buy groceries, all you need is a job to buy them and you can live happily ever after! But as adults, we realize just how much there is to be a homemaker and what managing a household looks like. There are many chores that we did not even know happened but were really important to keep the household running. “Invisible Load” means the mental and emotional work that falls on the homemakers, and caregivers, mostly women of the household. Here are some ways you can help your children understand and appreciate this.

Have an open and honest conversationSometimes a thing or two can trigger a conversation about responsibilities and household chores and it is an important one that children should have with their parents as it teaches them about responsibility and what comes with managing a household. How there are many things they will have to do once they start taking care of themselves. Involve children in household choreWhen it comes to taking care of the homes, it should be a group responsibility, whether it is picking up groceries, doing the laundry, or helping with the meal, everyone should do their part. This will help them understand the gravity of the responsibility that homeowners have. Discuss time management and prioritizationChildren who were not given tasks to do often grow up believing they have all the time in the world. And when they have to juggle their personal life with their college work and career planning, everything starts crumbling as they do not know how to function. You must show them how it is done. Highlights the emotional labourWhile there is a lot of physical aspects to there is also a major part that your emotions play here. People feel a lot of stress and anxiety when there are unexpected expenses or challenges, dealing with these can be quite draining. Tell your children to express their support in any way they can! Recognize and appreciate their workTo maintain a positive atmosphere, we should always acknowledge the hard work someone is putting into the household and other responsibilities. Celebrating milestones like your kid’s first A grade, a parent’s long-awaited bonus etc. Use games to help them learnThis is not your typical house play where the girl plays the homemaker or the boy plays the hard-working dad, but rather games that will challenge the ways your child thinks for example, detective play, finding hidden objects etc. or monopoly, to teach them how to deal with money etc. Promote gender equalityThe way you raise your children is the way they will behave with others when they grow up. If you tell your child it is the girl’s job to cook and clean, they will grow up internalizing it and forcing themselves into the same gender roles even if they do not wish to do so.