Is today’s generation of kids too soft?
That’s the question lighting up social media, after one man shared the very detailed list of chores his dad assigned him as a kid—and people have some strong opinions.
The man posted the list on Threads, noting that it all started when he was just eight years old. He says his dad was “the coolest man on Earth,” but also ran a pretty tight ship. “Hella structure and rules,” he wrote.
And he wasn’t kidding.
The list breaks chores down by daily, weekly, and monthly expectations, covering everything from bed-making and trash duty to scrubbing the toilet and deep-cleaning the basement.
Even before-school routines were regimented: bed made, breakfast eaten, homework double-checked, and out the door on time. After school? Get changed, finish all homework, check in before dinner, and be inside before 9. Then dishes, trash, shower, and lights out by 10.
On top of that, each week had its own themed cleaning session. Monday was trash and liners. Sunday was full laundry—including ironing school clothes (yes, ironing). And each Saturday of the month brought its own deep-cleaning assignment: bathroom, kitchen, basement, and finally, the front and back of the house.
As you might guess, the internet had thoughts.
Some commenters were impressed, praising the structure and saying it taught discipline, responsibility, and time management. Others felt it was too intense for a child, arguing that kids need some free time that doesn’t involve bleach or a vacuum.
Still, the post struck a chord—especially with those who grew up in homes where “chores” weren’t optional, they were just life. The bigger takeaway for many was that structure, even if it sounds rigid by today’s standards, helped set kids up for adulthood in a way participation trophies and unlimited screen time maybe don’t.
Whether you see it as admirable parenting or old-school overkill, one thing’s clear: we’re all a little nostalgic for the days when “clean your room” actually meant cleaning your entire room… not just shoving stuff under the bed and calling it a win.