Parenting Perspective 

When a child responds with ‘I will hire someone’ to avoid household chores, it is more than just a clever remark. It reveals how they view responsibility, privilege, and effort. Children often echo what they see around them: if they notice others delegating tasks or if comfort is emphasised more than contribution, they may imagine adulthood as freedom from effort rather than the embracing of it. 

Chores as Life Skills, Not Punishment 

Basic household tasks are not simply about tidiness. They are life skills that protect dignity, independence, and resilience. A child who learns to cook, clean, or organise grows into an adult who can care for themselves and others. When children dismiss these skills, they risk equating responsibility with servitude instead of seeing it as a form of maturity. 

The Hidden Issue: Attitude to Service 

The phrase ‘I will hire someone’ suggests that service is beneath them. This mindset can unintentionally foster arrogance or dependency. It is important to remind children that service, whether for oneself or for others, is honourable. The aim is not to shame them, but to reframe chores as acts of self-respect and love for the family. 

Shaping Perspective Through Experience 

Children who rarely engage in chores may see them as optional. By giving them regular, age-appropriate tasks, parents help normalise responsibility. It is also valuable to connect tasks with outcomes they enjoy: ‘When you learn to cook, you can make your favourite dish any time,’ or ‘When you organise your space, you can find your things quickly.’ This shows that chores build freedom, not take it away. 

A Micro-Action to Try 

The next time your child says, ‘I will hire someone,’ smile and respond, ‘That is fine, but even people who hire others must first know how to do things themselves. Let us start with this small skill together.’ This turns their dismissal into an opportunity for growth. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam elevates the value of serving one’s own needs and family. Household work is not beneath anyone; rather, it is a reflection of humility and balance. Even the most honoured of people, the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, engaged in household tasks. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Israa (17), Verse 84: 

‘Say (O Prophet Muhammad ﷺ): “Each person acts according to their own temperament, so your Sustainer is fully aware as to who is the one, who (has chosen to be on) the rightly guided pathways”.’ 

This verse reminds us that our manner of work reflects our inner state. To avoid work out of pride or to view service as beneath us distances the heart from humility. Children need to see that household effort is a way of shaping their character and seeking the pleasure of Allah Almighty. 

It is recorded in Mishkaat Al Masaabih, Hadith 3252, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family.’ 

This Hadith reflects that goodness within the family includes service. Historical narrations also mention that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mended his clothes and assisted in household tasks. This sets a model that no one is above contributing, no matter their status. 

By teaching children that responsibility at home is an honour, not a burden, parents reframe chores from being something to escape through wealth to something that enriches personal dignity. Over time, your child will see that household skills are not simply about cleaning or cooking, but about embodying humility, love, and readiness for life’s demands.