Parenting Perspective 

Frame Tasks as Collective Goals 

Shared responsibility can easily turn into rivalry if children begin to measure who did more or who did it better. To avoid this, it is essential to frame tasks as collective goals, not individual contests. Instead of saying, ‘Let’s see who can finish first,’ try saying, ‘Let’s see how quickly we can get this done as a team.’ Using ‘we’ language helps children to associate success with unity, not with outperforming a sibling. 

Celebrate Collaboration, Not Comparison 

Be sure to praise cooperative efforts, such as when one child helps the other without being asked. It is best to avoid tallying individual contributions, as this only fuels the competition. Instead, you can reward them as a team for a job well done, perhaps with a special treat or a family game. This teaches them that working together brings collective rewards and strengthens their bond. 

Focus on Contribution and Care 

By consistently modelling and reinforcing collaboration, you help your children internalise that responsibilities are about contribution and care, not rivalry. This helps to foster a peaceful and supportive home environment. 

Spiritual Insight 

Cooperate in Righteousness 

Islam calls believers to work together in goodness and piety. When parents teach their children to cooperate on household tasks with the right intention, they are instilling a core Quranic value and turning a simple chore into an act of worship. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Maaidah (5), Verse 2: 

‘ …And participate with each other to promote righteousness and piety, and do not collaborate in the committal of any sin or moral transgression; an attained piety from Allah (Almighty)…’ 

Believers Support One Another 

The prophetic tradition gives a beautiful analogy for believers, comparing them to a building where each part strengthens the others. This teaches that family members, as believers, are meant to support and complete one another, not compete in a way that weakens their bond. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, 2446, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts support each other.’ 

Teamwork as an Act of Faith 

When you connect household responsibilities to these core Islamic values, your children learn that teamwork is an expression of mercy, unity, and faith. This transforms daily chores into practical opportunities to please Allah, keeping the sibling bond strong and free from unhealthy rivalry.