A chair broke in a classroom.
For a moment, the children looked at it. Some laughed, others walked away, and a few simply waited for someone else to fix it. As I watched, I couldn't help but reflect on how much our world has changed. Years ago, a broken chair would have been more than a piece of damaged furniture. It would have been an opportunity to teach a child responsibility, patience and a practical life skill.
Many fathers would have called their sons or daughters and said, "Come and bring the hammer. Let me show you how to repair this." Mothers would have used everyday moments to teach their children how to sew a torn shirt, replace a missing button or mend something that had broken. Those moments were never just about fixing household items. They were opportunities to build character, confidence and independence.
Today, many of us reach for our phones before we reach for the toolbox. We call a repairman, buy a replacement or simply throw the broken item away. While there is nothing wrong with seeking professional help when necessary, we may be losing something valuable in the process. We are missing opportunities to teach our children that not every problem should be avoided and not everything that is broken should be discarded. Some things can be repaired, and through the process of repairing them, children learn resilience, creativity and perseverance.
The same lesson can be learned around the family dining table. Imagine a chair breaking during a meal. Years ago, many parents would not have rushed to buy a new one. Instead, they would have invited their children to watch, to hold a nail, pass a screwdriver or learn why the chair had become weak. The broken chair became a classroom, and the lesson had nothing to do with furniture. It was about responsibility, problem-solving and understanding that our hands were created not only to hold mobile phones but also to build, repair and create.
We live in an age of remarkable technological advancement. Machines wash our clothes, vacuum our floors, prepare our meals and remind us of our daily tasks. Artificial intelligence answers questions within seconds, and almost anything can be ordered online with a few taps on a screen. These developments have transformed education, healthcare, communication and business, making life easier in countless ways.
Technology is a gift, but it should never become a substitute for teaching responsibility.
The question every parent should ask is not whether technology is good or bad. The real question is whether convenience is replacing responsibility.
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When children grow up believing that every problem can be solved by buying something new or paying someone else to do the work, they miss the joy of discovering that they are capable of solving problems themselves. They begin to depend on others instead of developing confidence in their own abilities.
Children do not become responsible adults simply because they are told to be responsible. They become responsible because they are trusted with responsibilities. A child who learns to sweep the yard, wash dishes, water the garden, organise a school bag, make a bed or repair a simple household item is learning far more than a chore. They are learning discipline, patience, teamwork and pride in a job well done.
Sadly, many children today are growing up in homes where they are expected to do very little. Some have domestic workers who cook, clean, wash, iron and tidy everything around them. Others spend hours on phones, tablets and television while every household responsibility is carried by adults. Parents often believe they are protecting their children or giving them more time to focus on schoolwork. Yet, without intending to, they may be raising young people who depend on others for even the simplest tasks.
Education is not only about passing examinations. A child may achieve excellent grades yet struggle to manage everyday life if they have never been taught practical skills. Academic knowledge opens doors, but life skills help
One of the greatest gifts parents can give their children is not wealth but competence.
A child who can cook a simple meal, wash clothes, make a bed, water a garden or fix small things grows in confidence and independence. These everyday skills teach children that problems are opportunities to learn, not reasons to give up.
Many great inventors started with curiosity. They asked, "Why is this broken?" and "Can I fix it?" That curiosity often begins at home, where children learn by watching their parents.
Children learn more from what we do than from what we say.
When parents work hard, solve problems and take responsibility, children are likely to do the same. Our goal is not to raise carpenters or mechanics, but young people who can think, adapt and contribute to society.
Technology is a blessing, but it should never replace creativity or the dignity of work. Unfortunately, many children today are protected from every struggle instead of being prepared for life. Yet perseverance is built through responsibility.
Giving children age-appropriate chores is not punishment—it is preparation. Making a bed, helping with dinner, tidying a room or caring for the garden builds discipline, responsibility and confidence.
As parents and teachers, let us ask ourselves: Are we raising consumers or creators? Are we teaching our children only to use technology, or also to create with it?
The next time a chair breaks in your home or classroom, don't rush to fix it alone. Call your child and say, "Come, let us learn something together." The chair may be repaired in an hour, but the lesson could last a lifetime.
When we teach a child to repair a broken chair, we are doing more than fixing furniture—we are helping build a capable, resilient and responsible citizen for tomorrow
*Evelyn Bengura is a Zimbabwean author, educator, motivational writer, and director of Little Harvard Group of Schools.
She is passionate about using stories and articles to educate, inspire, and transform lives through practical life lessons, character development, and personal growth.
