What role can household chores play in teaching resilience when there’s no device reward at the end? 

Parenting Perspective 

Household chores offer a natural and effective way to teach children resilience. They learn to apply effort and see a task through, even when it is not exciting, which is a crucial life skill in a world geared towards instant gratification. 

Building Tolerance for Effort 

Chores like sweeping the floor or folding laundry require steady action before the result is visible. This process is an important counterbalance to the instant results from devices, helping to build a child’s tolerance for effort without the expectation of an immediate reward. 

Connecting Effort to Real-World Impact 

When a child completes a chore, the outcome is tangible and real. A clean room or a set table has a direct impact on the family. You can highlight this by saying, ‘Because you set the table so nicely, we are all ready to enjoy our meal together.’ This helps them to link their effort to a shared benefit. 

Encouraging Perseverance Through Repetition 

Most chores are not a one-time event; they must be repeated regularly. This simple repetition helps children to understand that valuable results often require ongoing, consistent effort. Over time, they learn that the satisfaction of contributing to the household is a reward in itself. 

Fostering a Sense of Responsibility and Pride 

When children are trusted with age-appropriate tasks, they begin to develop a sense of ownership and pride in their role. This feeling of responsibility helps them to internalise resilience, pushing through dull moments because they know their contribution has a purpose. 

By framing chores as meaningful contributions rather than punishments, you help your child see effort and responsibility as normal parts of life, not things that always need a digital payoff. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, even the smallest acts of service within the home are considered a source of great reward and blessing when they are done with a sincere intention. Serving one’s family is a practical way to show care, humility, and gratitude. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Zalzalah (99), Verse 7: 

‘ Thus, everyone’s actions equivalent to the measurement of an atom that is good shall be observed by them (on the Day of Judgment).‘ 

This reminds us that no good deed, however small or routine it may seem, is ever wasted or overlooked in the sight of Allah. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6464, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The most beloved of deeds to Allah are the most consistent of them, even if they are few.’ 

This teaches us that steady, sincere actions, like fulfilling our daily household duties, are more valued by Allah than grand but inconsistent efforts. 

By teaching your child that chores are a form of consistent service, you help them to link everyday effort with resilience, responsibility, and the hope of reward from Allah, even when there is no immediate worldly prize.