A parenting expert has said that swapping your child's toys for cleaning tools may not be necessary, but getting them to do chores is essential.
Julia Fox has sparked a debate about parenting, after encouraging adults to get their children cleaning tools instead of toys.
In a video posted to her TikTok this week, the model and actress said: “Everyone buy their kid a mini-mop and mini-broom and start teaching them those life skills really young, so when they enter the real world they don’t have to outsource for everything.”
Parenting Expert and Keynote Speaker in the area of wellness Sheila O’Malley gave Newstalk Breakfast her opinion on these comments.
"She's definitely making a point or two that I do agree with", she said.
"What I do agree with is that she's talking about the importance of enabling our kids and helping them to be able to do things for themselves."
Overparenting
Ms O'Malley, who does one to one sessions with parents, said that teaching children these lessons young is "so much better for the child".
"I often ask: What kind of parent are you?"
"Are you the perfect parent that makes the lunches, reminds them of everything they have to do and drops a forgotten item to the school?"
"If you are, then what do they learn?"
Independence
Ms O'Malley believes sometimes parents underestimate their children's ability to do things for themselves.
"A two to three year old can set the table. A four to five year old can prepare simple snacks. A six to seven year old can empty the dishwasher."
"Children love to learn, unless there's nobody getting cross with them."
"It needs to be safe for them to make a mistake."
"A child who lacks competency in those early years ends up avoiding challenges later on."
According to a 75-year-long study by Harvard University found that all children need to succeed in life is unconditional love and chores.
"People came into me and told me that they had a parent who did everything for them and then, sadly, sent them out into the big bold world totally unprepared", Ms O'Malley explained.
"A child who lacks competency in those early years ends up avoiding challenges later on."
She added: "All kids need is eight minutes of one on one time to make a child feel loved, valued and secure."
Listen back to the full conversation here.
