To ask the older kids to wash their own pots up?

[Citrus81]

Left the two older kids home alone today (by their choice) whilst I took ds2 out. When I came home there were cups, plates, dishes and pans all over the kitchen work surfaces. To be fair, they've never had to clean up after themselves in the kitchen before but AIBU to introduce a new rule where if they're capable of getting their own lunch, they're capable of washing their own pots up too?

They're 13 and 11 btw.

[HouseofCrazy]

YANBU I would!

[HouseofCrazy]

especially with holidays! Or you will spend six weeks awash in dishes....

[Chil1234]

YANBU I'd say they should not only be expected to wash up after themselves but tidy up the house and have a pot of tea ready for you when you come back home with DS2 .... Time to dust off the reward charts and update them, perhaps?

[Vallhala]

Keep these remarks coming everyone, I want to show them to DDs (13.5 and 15).

[kidsncatsnwine]

Yep start training them now. Seriously...they get lazier and lazier as teens otherwise!

I have 4 teenagers and while I am happy to do their washing , cook etc, I now expect a certain level of clearing up after themselves! A few years ago I started a rota of jobs that have to be done at the weekend.. bathroom, living room, hoover thro etc. They moaned but now they do them automatically

Two of mine have been home for weeks post GCSE and A level exams and for them I leave lists.. hang out washing, etc. I go NUTS if I come home from work to a kitchen full of used pans etc. Ditto finding the dishwasher stuffed full...

Even my 13 yr old who has learning difficulties and autism has to empty the dishwasher (in fact he's the best of the lot as he doesn't whine about it!)

At 11 and 13 they ARE capable and should be helping

[Dillie]

YANBU my 5 year old helps me, so your DD's should be able to without question!

If my DD helps tidy up her room and puts her dishes in the dishwasher, then she gets a couple of stickers and a little pocket money to spend on a small thing/comic/book

If she is extra good we will go out bowling/film once a month or something. (cheap at this age!! )

[hairytriangle]

Jeepers at those ages, absolutely. When I was a kid we had a rota (probably from age about 10) and we took it in turns to do all the washing up/drying up/putting away! Mum or dad cooked, and one of the three of us would wash up after, seems like a fair deal to me!

[seeker]

So bloody right they should! I hope you haven't done it - call them in and get them to do it NOW!

[ladysybil]

i think you are being unreasonable to have not asked them to clean up after themselves before now.
a nine year old can wash dishes after dinner with no problems. leaving it till 13 before asking them to wash even two plates??????????/ i find that truly and utterly shocking.

[Goblinchild]

Of course they should be doing jobs they are capable of, they are sharing a house with other people.
Mine do jobs (15 and 19), I consent to drive them places and buy extras like desserts, exciting drink options and nice shampoo.
No sharing the workload of having a home, they get the austerity version of a home life.
I started when they were much younger than yours, but it's never too late.

[Longtalljosie]

God yes, do - I had to at that age. I also had to put through loads of washing during the summer holidays while my mum was at work...

[seeker]

And I actually can't think of a normal household task that an 11 year old shouldn;t be capable of!

[deaddei]

YANBU.
My dcs know if they do not empty the dishwasher first thing, and tidy up the breakfast stuff- there is no tea.
They can have a sandwich or cereal, but I'm not cooking if they don't clear away.

[emptyshell]

When I was off school during the summer holidays my mum would pay me the princely sum of £1 a day for doing a designated house task that day - so hoovering downstairs or upstairs, sorting out washing, polishing etc.

Dishes were MY job anyway - how I loathe washing up to this day.

Of course - if you want a battle - come train my husband to put his IN the dishwasher and then the advanced class of "putting them in the dishwasher properly."

[knickers0nmyhead]

dd who is nearly 3 washes hers and ds' pots (her choice though) so no, yanbu!

[sapphireblue]

YANBU. Even my 2.4yo DD takes her plates etc to the kitchen and puts it on the side.......she dries up for me too! It's never to early to involve them in household tasks IMO.

BTW.......before I get flamed DD chooses to help because I make it fun - I don't force her....not running a sweat shop in my spare time!