A Michigan Mom’s Viral Lesson: Teaching Her Son That Chores Aren’t “Women’s Work”

A Michigan mother, Nikkole Paulun, went viral after sharing photos of her young son doing everyday household tasks like loading the dishwasher, washing towels, and cooking. Her point was straightforward: home responsibilities should not be treated as “women’s work.” Her Facebook post was widely shared, reaching more than 55,000 shares.

What She’s Teaching Her Son—and Why It Matters

Paulun said she intentionally teaches her son to cook and do chores because these are basic life skills, not gendered duties. She explained several reasons, including long-term independence, future relationships, and being a responsible partner and parent.

Her main reasons, in her own logic, include:

• He may live alone one day and should know how to do laundry and care for himself instead of relying on takeout.
• He may want to impress a future partner with a meal he cooked himself.
• Children can still be kids while learning lifelong lessons that prepare them for adulthood.
• If he has a spouse and kids someday, he should be ready to do his fair share at home.
• Teaching him to be a productive member of society starts at home and starts early.

A Bigger Goal: Raising a Well-Rounded Adult

By building these habits now, Paulun says she’s trying to raise the kind of adult many people hope for: capable, respectful, and responsible—both inside and outside the home.

She described the man she hopes her son becomes:

• Confident enough to cook and clean without worrying about whether it looks “manly”
• Able to handle traditional “outside” tasks (like changing a tire or mowing the lawn) and also manage inside responsibilities (like sorting laundry or checking on a meal)

Challenging Outdated Ideas Starts With Parents

Paulun also addressed a cultural issue: some men are still raised to believe chores belong to women. She argued that one of the simplest ways to change that thinking is for parents to:

• Invite boys into the kitchen when meals are being prepared
• Teach them practical skills—whether it’s laundry, cooking, or sewing—as normal parts of growing up

Her Message to Other Parents

Paulun ended with a reminder aimed at both moms and dads:

• A man who believes he shouldn’t cook or do chores was once a boy who was never taught any better.

Her overall message is clear: teaching boys household responsibility is not just helpful—it’s essential for building healthier, more equal families and relationships.