A Surprising Way to Raise Boys Destined for Leadership

With a household of six boys, the housework easily accumulates. There’s no way I could handle it all on my own! However, with the potential of an efficient work force at my disposal, I am determined to train my boys how to eventually do all the chores around the house. I’d like to work myself out of a job!

At this point, only my eight, six and four year old are truly capable of making a dent in the housework. But I am trying to involve my 2 year old twins in helping as well.Although they know how to clean the bathroom, sweep and mop, and do dishes, they don’t always do it cheerfully. I am often” waxing eloquently” on the value of hard work around the house.

The other day, my oldest, Jesse was helping me wash dishes. (Our dishwasher died a month ago).He said, “I don’t know why I need to learn to wash dishes when my wife will probably do them anyways.”

All these conflicting emotions rose up in me. It is most likely a true statement. I am raising my boys to be the main providers for their families. Yet, I want them to know the hard work it takes to run a home, appreciate it and be able to lend a helping hand. But am I wasting my time?

I know I didn’t like was the heart attitude that went along with this statement. An entitlement to be served instead of a heart to serve. I don’t quite remember how I responded.

But a few days later, Holy Spirit highlighted this:

“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others…” (Mark 10:43-45).

I am raising men.

I am raising future leaders.

But they must be servant leaders and not above hard work and menial tasks. This scripture was a reminder to me that it isn’t a waste of time to teach my boys how to fold laundry and take care of the kitchen. In fact, it may be in these very places that their character is formed.

Even if these jobs aren’t their main responsibility later in life, I have trained them to serve each other. And Jesus says those who know how to serve have the makings of a leader.

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Tagged as: raising boys