When Delegation Starts at Home: A Parenting Epiphany
This week I shared a surprisingly fun moment with my son.
With three kids, my husband and I take turns with bedtime. One of us takes care of Mr. 4 and Miss 7, while the other enjoys the quieter privilege of putting Mr. 11 to bed. To keep things balanced, the parent handling “the littles” skips the evening chores—leaving a long list for the other.
On Thursday night, faced with a daunting list of chores, I jotted everything down on the kitchen whiteboard to keep track. When my eldest came in and asked me to fill out a school form, I handed him a marker and asked him to add it to the list. He glanced at the long list and, to my surprise, offered to help. Like most 11-year-olds, he is no fan of chores, but seeing the tasks laid out - and being able to choose - gave him a sense of control that made all the difference. He started with the easiest task - taking out the bin. Then, to my amusement, he packed his siblings’ lunchboxes with leftovers: chicken and green beans - not my usual pick, but I let it slide. Next, we hung the washing together before sitting down to fill out his school form. What could have been a dull evening turned into an unexpectedly enjoyable one, reminding me how small shifts in approach can transform a routine moment.
After 15+ years in management, I thought I had delegation down to a science. Yet that evening taught me I still have room to grow - both at work and at home. My takeaways: 1) instill motivation by explaining the “why” (in this case, get through the chores to have his form filled in), 2) share the full scope of work so the finish line feels achievable, and 3) offer choices to foster a sense of control.