February 7, 2026
Why Chores are the Secret to Adult Success
Children amaze me. With five of my own, I witness the daily "laboratory" of development. I see the moments where they lean into a challenge and the moments where they look for an exit. As parents, we often search for the perfect extracurricular to build grit, but the most powerful tool for developing resilience is already in our homes: the humble household chore.
The Resilience Gap
In some adults of our generation, I’ve noticed what I call a "resilience gap." I’ve seen individuals that struggle with initiative, collaborating with others when the road gets messy, and enduring through tough situations.
This isn't a lack of intelligence. It’s a lack of practice in specific skillsets that are often forged in the kitchen, not the classroom. When children are shielded from responsibility, they may grow into adults who struggle with:
| The Missing Skillset | The Resulting Adult Struggle |
|---|---|
| Initiative | Waiting for a direct order rather than seeing what needs to be done. |
| Self-Efficacy | Doubting their ability to overcome unfamiliar obstacles. |
| Collaboration | Viewing work as a solo performance rather than a team effort. |
| Persistence | Difficulty enduring through the mundane to reach a goal. |
The Science of Pitching In
According to the Harvard Grant Study—the longest-running study of human development—the ability to work, practiced through childhood chores, is a primary predictor of mental health and professional success.
However, it isn’t just about "getting work done." Research by Dr. Marty Rossmann suggests that starting chores as early as age 3 or 4 is a significant predictor of adult success. Furthermore, studies from La Trobe University highlight that "family-care" tasks (like cooking or gardening) have a stronger impact on Executive Function than simple self-care tasks (like getting dressed or brushing teeth).
When a child empties the dishwasher or helps prep a meal, their brain is performing a cognitive "heavy lift":
- Planning: Deciding what needs to happen first.
- Sequencing: Organizing the logical steps of the task.
- Initiation: Overcoming the friction of getting started.
- Follow-through: Seeing a multi-step process to completion.
From the Trenches: Straight Lines and Wetlands
I remember my own childhood as one of nine children. There was always a mountain of dishes, floors to mop, or firewood to cut. My big brother and I often teamed up. We learned early on that working together was fun and got the work done faster!
My planning would start on the walk home from school through the wetlands. I’d map out my afternoon: “First, I’ll do my chores, then I’ll play with my friends.” I wasn't just being a "good kid." I was learning how to manage my time and energy.
I particularly enjoyed mowing the lawn. There was a deep satisfaction in making those perfectly straight lines in the grass. It gave me a sense of order and a tangible win for my effort. That feeling of "I did this, and I did it well" is a foundation of the confidence I carry into my work today.
I will forever cherish the joy I get from working in the kitchen, due to how my mom included me in prepping meals.
Conclusion
We often prioritize prestigious schools or top-tier sports to give our kids an edge. But the research is clear: if you want to raise a resilient human, give them a broom.
Teaching these habits isn't always easy, especially when life gets busy. That’s why I created Commit. I wanted to build a way for families to make developing these life-long working habits easy, fun, and consistent. Because at the end of the day, we aren't just raising kids who can clean a kitchen. We’re raising adults who can change the world.