Home is a Training Ground

Does the word 'chores' make you have a panic attack? Ellen Mongan encourages moms to train their children to become diligent, capable, and confident. 

Motherhood Is Most Important

Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty considered motherhood so important that he wrote a book, The Mother, published by Radio Replies Press in 1949. In chapter 5, he writes:

In his wisdom the Creator granted her everything necessary for her great task, for her glorious vocation. This calling required a love that is solicitous, loyal, ready for every sacrifice day or night, a love that could only find its habitation in the heart of a mother. It requires a lively imagination, an instinct which interprets the child's needs, an intimate, gentle and simple disposition, that enables her to put herself into the small world of the child with an understanding love that feels and lives with the child. 

How do you feel about being a mom? Are you just biding your time until something more important comes along? Are you hoping for a job with more prestige, a better paycheck, or even that someone will notice what you did today? After all, no one has thanked you this week for cleaning the toilet, fixing dinner after carrying a full plate of work all day, or for being the carpool mom with your lipstick still on, even though it's your fifth pick-up carpool. 

Motherhood Is Not Easy

To me, motherhood is the most important job we will ever do; after all, we are raising the next generation. Raise them well, or the world would gladly do it for you. Moms of today have it so much more difficult than when I was raising my large family. There are more temptations and fears. Mothers often second-guess themselves about how to raise their children. They frequently debate whether to work or stay at home. Many voices of so-called parenting experts are shouting out their newest parenting theories. The television shows, radio programs, and peer pressure serve as detours along the way. To compound the problem, there is the cell phone, the internet, and the teachings of the world that oppose your beliefs. Need I say more? 

God gives us clear direction in the Bible: 

Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it (Proverbs 22:6).

The Word of God, the teachings of our Catholic faith, and having a Titus II mentor are three safeguards to raising your children for the kingdom of God.   

Train Up Your Children 

Our goal as parents is not only to raise our children spiritually, but also to equip them with life skills that help them become self-sufficient, productive, and responsible adults. So, how do you train your children in today's world? 

Early on in my parenting, I learned that if Mom did everything, she’d be dead. Some of you out there probably feel that way. I soon discovered that training my children would help them become responsible and confident, and eventually assets to the family. It takes a lot of work up front to train children with practical life skills. It may be faster and easier to cook the meal, set the table, or do the dishes yourself. However, this is not about saving time; it is about teaching them responsibility and selflessness. I promise you it will be worth the time, effort, and patience it takes to let them help. I have found that, as I train up my children, God is training me along the way. 

At our home, we had 5:00 PM chores, after-dinner chores, Saturday-morning chores, and summer chores. I was the only mother on the block whose children would come running when the clock struck five. Why? I put out a sign-up sheet, and whoever arrived first got the chore of their choosing. Whoever was five minutes late got a second chore. Guests who did not leave before five had to choose a chore or go home — friends who remained got to eat dinner with us. 

Chores Build Family 

Chores are a way to build family. Our children are all grown now, but when we gather as a family for Sunday dinner, Christmas, or Thanksgiving, everyone still does their part by bringing a home-cooked dish, helping with the setup, or doing the cleanup. A family that works and prays together stays together. I must admit that my children do a much better job than I ever could when they host. My older children even praise me for the training I gave them in chores. They, in turn, are making chores a part of their children’s days. God wants us to be responsible, capable, and hardworking. We should expect the same from our children. 

Does the word “chores” make you have a panic attack? Don’t panic, Mom, train your children, and you will be glad you did. With time, they will be diligent, capable, and confident. 

Do you see those skilled at their work? They will stand in the presence of kings, but not in the presence of the obscure. (Proverbs 22:29) 

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Copyright 2026 Ellen Mongan
Images: Canva