Luto, Linis, at Turo: The Kramer Kids Are Great At Household Chores

“Yung mga anak ko, magaling gumawa ng chores,” Cheska Garcia Kramer, mom of three, host, and actress proudly shares. Her kids Kendra, Scarlett, and Gavin are some of social media’s most loved celebrity kids. 

But before Cheska shared each child’s unique strength, she adds a quick disclaimer: “Pero siyempre kailangan yan utusan. Hindi yan kusa. Kailangan mo talaga utusan, kailangan mo talagang i-train.” Good to know it’s not just our kids, Cheska!

Cheska shared this during her recent guesting at Magandang Buhay, where she was joined by the newly engaged and fellow mom of three, Aubrey Miles.

“Si Scarlett, magaling mag-luto, magaling mag-bake. Si Gavin, kaya niyang mag-pick up ng gamit niya at ibalik properly, katulad ng ayos ko.

She is like most moms who remind their kids the proper way of cleaning up. “Lagi kong sinasabi, ibabalik niyo the way I return it. Hindi yung basta ilagay lang diyan.”

Celebrity moms and the chores they give their kids

Aubrey shares that her children too, have always been taught to pick up after themselves, especially because their family hasn’t had yayas. Since the pandemic, their family hasn’t had helpers either so her kids are accustomed to cleaning up after themselves.

“Pinag-liligpit ko sila ng clothes nila sa hamper, especially sa room. Yung room, duty nila yan. Pero sa sala, yung pillows kailangan maayos before matulog,” Aubrey says.

Kendra, Cheska’s eldest child is good at… staying beside mom. “Si Kendra magaling… tumabi sa akin at manood,” she jokes.

“Laging may isang ganun!” Regine Velasquez, one of the show’s three hosts points out. Jolina Magdangal and Melai Cantiveros are the show’s two other hosts.

“Pero huwag ka, siya yung nag-aabot [ng lilinisin],” Cheska explains. Kendra’s strength is in being everyone’s big sister.

“Magaling siya mag-turo sa mga kapatid niya. Magaling siya mag-tutor. Kahit wala ako doon, kaya niya mag-teach ng lahat ng subjects.

“At magaling siyang mag-bantay ng maliliit niyang pinsan. Tinuturuan niya yung pinsan niya magbalik ng toys where it’s supposed to be. Responsible,” Cheska notes.

Teaching kids to do chores can lead to success in school and the workplace

Parents know that giving children chores has numerous benefits. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) says “Children who do chores may exhibit higher self-esteem, be more responsible, and be better equipped to deal with frustration, adversity, and delayed gratification.”

These benefits can lead to success at school, in the workplace, and in their relationships. As early as three-years-old, a child can already take on chores as part of their daily routine. 

Benefits of age-appropriate chores in a child’s life

AACAP enumerates the following benefits:

- Learn time management skills

- Develop organizational skills

- Accept responsibility in the family

- Provide an opportunity for success (especially for a child who struggles in other ways)

- Learn to balance work and play from a young age

- Sets a good foundation for functioning independently

Stress-free tips to encourage kids to do chores

While parents understand the benefits of introducing chores to children, children are not as easily convinced. More often than not, parents are met with whining or complaining. This is especially true when parents have not been able to start teaching their children to do chores at a young age.

But hope is not lost. Big Life Journal shares five effective tips to get children to do chores.

1. Don’t call them chores.

Reframe the way children (and you!) see chores. Depending on their age, you can call them “ways to be helpful”, “responsibilities”, or “family contributions”.

“Children are much more willing to help around the house when they view these tasks as a meaningful way to contribute to the family,” says the site.

2. Set a positive and cheerful tone.

Nagging will not get the family anywhere. If parents display a negative attitude toward their own responsibilities, children are likely to do the same.

3. Set reasonable expectations.

Age-appropriate chores is key to introducing chores to children. But this does not mean that on the first few tries, children will willingly want to do the chores. 

Just as Cheska Garcia Kramer mentions, her children have to be reminded or asked. Remember that this is normal behavior for children.

You may also have to complete some tasks with your children the first few times. Giving them age-appropriate chores will increase their chances of success. And this will make them more likely to want to keep doing the chore.

4. Create visuals.

Remember those positive phrases and slogans posted around school when you were a child? They weren’t just decoration. These positive messages also help children to think positively.

Hanging picture instructions of the chores is also helpful for kids, or where things belong around the house.

5. Give them choices.

As most parenting articles will advise, providing kids options helps them to feel they have some power or control about what they are doing. 

When it comes to chores, it allows them to feel less like they have no say. This will lessen the drudgery.

AACAP reminds parents that teaching children to do chores can be challenging. Be ready to have to work on it with your kids. 

“If your child is unable or unwilling to do chores, it can be frustrating. Try to understand the reasons why. If struggles continue or get worse, it may be a sign of other conflicts or issues that need attention.”