Assigning household chores creates an opportunity for parents to teach children that they have responsibilities to their family. Teaching children to accept responsibilities within their family is the very best way of preparing children to satisfy various other social responsibilities that they will encounter outside of the family as they grow older and progress toward independence. The assignment of household chores allows the child to experience a sense of contribution to the family. A successful contribution allows the child to experience a sense of accomplishment and, in turn, to experience a sense of pride in that accomplishment. Pride is the key ingredient in the development of self-respect which, ultimately, is the foundation for good mental health and happiness in life.
Parents are naturally inclined to protect their children.
Overprotection, however, produces diminished returns regarding a child's normal, healthy progression toward independence. Parents should resist the temptation to overprotect. Assign your children appropriate household chores from a very young age. It will not hurt them. Also, do not pay you children for completing their chores.