Does 'gentle parenting' mean you have to be a soft touch?

AN UNWILLINGNESS TO MAKE PAMPERED YOUNGSTERS PULL THEIR WEIGHT IS ROBBING THEM OF VITAL LIFE SKILLS

- SUSAN LEE

HERE’S a little quiz for you. If you asked your child or grandchild to locate the dishwasher tablets under the sink, would they know what to look for?

If you asked them to fetch the mop, would you get a blank stare?

If you answered yes to the above, you're not alone. According to a new survey, fewer than half of UK children under 15 help with household chores.

The research comes from charity Parentkind, who spoke to 6,000 families with youngsters aged between four and 18.

It found that just 44 per cent of kids in those households helped with tasks around the home.

There were regional variations - the number was higher in London for instance - but in the main it seems the younger generation is allergic to doing the dishes or running the Hoover around.