What is the best way to rotate jobs so no one is stuck with the worst? 

Parenting Perspective 

One of the quickest ways for resentment to build in a household is when a child feels that certain jobs always fall to them, while their siblings get the ‘easier’ or ‘more fun’ tasks. Complaints like, ‘I always have to take out the rubbish!’ or, ‘Why does she always get to set the table while I have to clean the bathroom?’, are a sign that a child is noticing a pattern of unfairness. If these concerns are not addressed, cooperation can begin to break down, and the act of helping can become a source of conflict rather than teamwork. 

The most effective way to avoid this is to rotate the jobs regularly and visibly. When children can see that responsibilities are being shared fairly, they are more willing to do their part, even if the job is an unpleasant one. 

Step 1: Create a Visible Job Chart 

Make a simple chart with each child’s name and the jobs for the week. Place it in a shared family space, such as on the fridge or a notice board. This visibility helps to prevent arguments and excuses, because everyone can clearly see whose turn it is to do each task. 

Step 2: Decide on a Simple Rotation Cycle 

A straightforward weekly rotation works well for most families. Each child can keep the same set of tasks for one week, and then the jobs swap over the following week. This ensures a sense of fairness without causing daily confusion. 

Step 3: Bundle ‘Hard’ and ‘Easy’ Jobs Together 

Try to balance the jobs you assign so that each child has one less pleasant task and one lighter task. This avoids one child feeling overburdened while another seems to have all the easy roles. For instance, pairing ‘taking out the bins’ with ‘watering the plants’ can make the overall workload feel fairer. 

Step 4: Use Random Draws for Variety 

Occasionally, you can make the rotation more fun by having the children draw their jobs for the week out of a hat. This can add an element of excitement and prevents the rota from becoming too predictable. 

Step 5: Teach Empathy Through Shared Experience 

When a child complains about their assigned job, you can gently remind them: ‘Everyone in the family has done that job before, and you will get to swap with your brother next week. Doing it now helps you to appreciate what he does when it is his turn.’ 

Step 6: Keep a Record for Accountability 

You can mark the completed tasks on your chart with ticks or stickers. At the end of the week, you can review it together and say: ‘I can see that you have all kept to your jobs this week without any fuss. That is a sign of real teamwork.’ 

Step 7: Adjust the Rota as Children Grow 

As your children get older, they can naturally take on more complex tasks, while the younger ones handle the simpler jobs. Reassure everyone that the responsibilities will continue to be rotated fairly, according to each person’s ability. 

Mini Dialogue Example 

Child: ‘Why do I always get the bins? It is not fair!’ 

Parent: ‘I understand that it feels that way, but if you look at the chart, you can see that you had the bins this week, and next week it will be your brother’s turn. That is why we rotate the jobs, so no one gets stuck with the worst one.’ 

Spiritual Insight 

Fairness and justice are central values in Islam. Rotating household jobs ensures that no one in the family feels unfairly burdened, which in turn strengthens the bonds of love and prevents resentment. When a child sees fairness in practice, they learn that justice is not only for big, important matters, but also for the small details of their daily lives. 

Justice Within the Family 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Nisa (4), Verse 58: 

‘Indeed, Allah (Almighty) commands you to execute all trusts to their rightful owners; and when you (are asked to) judge between people, that you should judge with justice; indeed, the enlightened direction to you from Allah (Almighty) is (a beneficial) endowment; indeed, Allah (Almighty) is All Hearing and All Seeing.’ 

You can explain: ‘Allah tells us in the Quran to be just in everything we do. Rotating our jobs at home is our family’s way of being fair, so that everyone shares the work equally.’ 

The Prophet’s Command for Fair Treatment 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 49, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Be mindful of Allah and be just with your children.’ 

For a child, this means: ‘The Prophet ﷺ taught all parents that they must be fair with their children. That is why the jobs in our house change each week, so that everyone gets a turn at both the hard and the easy parts.’ 

By connecting the rotation of chores to the principle of fairness in Islam, a child learns that justice is not something that is limited to courtrooms or serious disputes, but is a value that begins in the home. They learn that fairness builds trust and peace, and that even an unpleasant job becomes easier when everyone shares the load equally.