Utah mother Sam Kelly has recently caused a stir with her unconventional take on parenting and household duties. Sam, a former therapist turned feminist coach for moms, is turning heads as she dares to challenge the norms of gender roles and revolutionize her interactions with her children in managing their household. In a captivating interview with Good Morning America, the 38-year-old mother of three, Hero (11), Goldie (9), and Shepard (6), shared her bold perspective on parenting and the reasons behind her decision to no longer request her children’s “assistance” with chores.
Sam’s journey on this path began when she recognized a repeating pattern in her family dynamics that she was eager to address with her husband, Chas Kelly. While Chas had always been a supportive partner, Sam felt weighed down by the invisible workload associated with running their home. Around 18 months ago, Sam and Chas engaged in discussions about redistributing their responsibilities at home, leading Sam to reevaluate her approach to parenting.
One crucial evening, as she was preparing a chore chart for her kids, Sam had an enlightening realization. She discovered that by asking her children for “help” with household tasks, she was unconsciously reinforcing the traditional gender expectations placed on mothers. Determined to make a change, Sam decided to alter her language and adopt a new communication style.
In a captivating Instagram post, where her audience of nearly 60,000 followers eagerly awaits her insights, Sam unveiled her new approach. She now refrains from using the term “help” when discussing the tasks involved in managing a household. Instead, she uses the word “work,” emphasizing that the home’s upkeep is a joint responsibility shared by all family members. Sam believes that employing the term “work” instills in children the understanding that maintaining a home requires genuine effort, not a burden for their mother alone.
Sam’s Instagram post has generated significant buzz and support, amassing over 66,000 likes and nearly 2,000 comments. She is firm in her belief that altering the language surrounding household chores can positively impact children’s attitudes towards work and their roles within the family.
Additionally, Sam has introduced an innovative system called “notice and do,” encouraging her children to be proactive in recognizing tasks that need attention around the house. Rather than assigning specific chores, she prompts them to observe and choose one task to address. This system aims to nurture initiative in children and cultivate their contribution to the household’s overall well-being.
While Sam’s approach has garnered acclaim for challenging traditional gender norms and advocating for shared responsibilities, it has also sparked debate. Some argue that parents should assume the role of managing the home entirely, while others believe that involving children in chores can empower them and impart valuable life skills.
Ultimately, Sam Kelly’s parenting philosophy serves as a testament to the diversity of approaches in parenting. Every family is unique, and the key lies in finding what resonates best with your family dynamics and values. Sam’s journey in reinventing her approach to parenting underscores the significance of communication and readiness to adapt and evolve as parents.
In summary, Sam Kelly’s decision to shift from asking her children to “help” with chores to encouraging them to “work” alongside her represents a revolutionary outlook on parenting and household duties. By transforming the discourse on chores and teaching her children the essence of shared labor, she is challenging traditional gender expectations and advocating for a fairer distribution of responsibilities within her family. Though met with both applause and criticism, Sam’s approach highlights the importance of purposeful and deliberate parenting in today’s ever-evolving society.
