Pediatrician Reveals Top Tip for Raising Happy, Healthy Children
According to board-certified pediatrician and father of five, Dr. Williams (aka @tiktokkiddoc on TikTok), one of the simplest and most effective ways to raise emotionally healthy, successful children is by giving them regular household chores.
In a viral video, he shares that assigning age-appropriate tasks helps children develop self-worth, responsibility, empathy, and a sense of belonging within the family unit.
Citing findings from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest-running longitudinal research on human wellbeing, Dr. Williams explains that children who did chores early in life often experienced greater happiness and professional success later.
Chores, he says, help children realize that their contribution matters, promoting community-mindedness and less self-centeredness, key indicators of long-term mental and emotional well-being.
While only 28% of parents assign chores regularly, Williams urges families to start small, even with toddlers, and not stress perfection. “It’s not about doing it ‘right.’ It’s about showing effort and learning teamwork,” he says.
