Harvard study finds the best way to raise happy, healthy, successful kids

As moms, our number one goal is to ensure our children are safe, happy and healthy. And we’re willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that happens. Social media influencer @tiktokkiddoc is all about educating parents with evidence-based help on raising healthy kids, and one of his latest videos points to a well-known 75-year Harvard study that found a surprising way to raise empathetic, successful children.

“Researchers found that if you implement this one small thing in your child’s life, they’re more likely to be happy as adults, they have more empathy towards other people, and they’re more successful in their careers,” the pediatrician and father of five explained. “In fact, a different 20-year study from the University of Minnesota found that this simple change was the best predictor of overall adult success, especially if started at an earlier age.”

So what is it?! 

Encouraging your kids to do chores around the house! TikTok Kid Doc explained why. “Having your children do chores gives them a sense of self-worth, and it helps them to realize that they’re contributing to a larger ecosystem. They become more selfless. They become more willing and able to see the needs of other people around them,” he said. “Chores also strengthen family bonds with siblings and with parents, and chores help to instill a better work ethic, which translates pretty well into school and career success.”

@tiktokkiddoc The best way to raise healthy happy successful kids. #momsoftiktok #utahmom #firsttimemom #healthykids #happykids #thrivingkids #howtoraiseakid ♬ Love Of My Life – Metrow Ar

Of course, this is something every parent strives for, but it’s easier said than done. Maybe that’s why only a small percentage of parents actually implement it. “The problem is, in a survey of 1,000 parents, they found that only 28% of you guys are routinely giving chores to your children,” the pediatrician pointed out. If you have a kid who hates or even refuses to do chores, there are different techniques you can try to engage them more, including making chores something the family does together.

If you’re ready to give your kids chores but you don’t know where to start (or what are age-appropriate tasks), you can start with “fun” things like feeding pets, watering plants, and dusting with young toddlers, and work your way up to making the bed, clearing the table, or unloading the dishwasher for kids 4 years and older. Once they get proficient in doing chores you can “watch the college scholarships roll on in,” as the TikTok Kid Doc so eloquently ended his message!

A version of this story was originally published on Oct. 12, 2023. It has been updated.