Give them jobs, not chores. The words we use to describe responsibility shape how kids feel about it. When you call something a chore, it sounds like an obligation. But when you call it a job, it becomes a role; something kids can take pride in. Children naturally want to emulate their parents. They watch you work, contribute, and take care of things, and they want to do the same. Framing household responsibilities as “jobs” helps them feel part of the family team, not just the one being managed by it. Dr. Bren also cautions against paying kids for chores. Research shows it can backfire by replacing belonging with transaction - teaching kids to help for a reward, rather than because they’re part of something. It makes us wonder: what if our kids’ motivation grows most when they feel needed, not paid? Speaker: Sarah Bren Source: Parenting Without Power Struggles: Chores, Allowance & Handling Separation Anxiety w/ Dr. Sarah Bren | KOH Podcast w/ Michael Chernow