To love your children is to care for and about them. One kind of love is warm and gentle and shows children that they are loved regardless of what they can do or not do and regardless of how well they can do things. This warm, gentle, unconditional love has no strings attached. Everybody needs this kind of love just because they are human. Humans need it to live and thrive. Therefore all children deserve it. But this kind of love is not enough by itself to help your child grow into a healthy adult.

Love is also sturdy and teaches skills and expects good behavior. Children need both kinds of love in equal amounts. Children must know that they can do the things necessary to get along in the world. When children know how to do things well – all by themselves – they begin to feel they are becoming independent and that they are good thinkers. They start to believe that their thoughts and feelings are important and that they are capable of learning the skills necessary to get along in their young world.

Love does not overindulge.  It does not give too much freedom and too little responsibility, do for children what they can do for themselves, or neglect to teach children the skills they need to do things for themselves. Chores help avoid overindulgence. They each responsibility and help children learn new skills and know what they are good at. Chores are part of loving your children.