To let my five-year-old wash the dishes?

[OstentatiousBreastfeeder]

Because he's currently doing them as I type this! I took the knives out, filled up the sink with warm soapy water and he's having the time of his life

We introduced 'special jobs' at the start of the summer holidays - jobs which are DS' sole responsibility. Like clearing the table after dinner and wiping it down, bringing dirty washing downstairs and loading the machine - things like that, and it seems to have turned him into Anthea Turner.

I've just looked and they're sparkling, so I won't even have to rewash them.

Is he too young to do the odd bowl of washing up or...?

[ipswichwitch]

Of course you're not BU. Would he like to come and do mine and show DH what clean dishes are meant to look like?
I can pay him in haribo.

[Orrla]

No, I find its the best way to keep my toddler occupied in view of me when I'm making dinner. Otherwise they'd be trying to drag me away from the cooker to play or get underfoot.

Throw a few bits of tupperware in the sink with some fairy liquid and water and let them at it.

[LongHairDontCare]

As DS's nursery they wash their own bowls and cups after snack time so no yanbu!

[googoodolly]

Sounds ideal to me!

[vvviola]

Sounds great! Send him this direction when he's finished!

DM regularly institutes "practical life exercises" time at her house when DC are visiting (she's an ex-Montessori teacher). I will come in to find them sweeping or washing up or peeling carrots (they are 8 and 4). I'm not sure what magic potion she uses to get them to do it though, doesn't work at our house!

[violetwellies]

YANBU It has been known for a fight to break out over who gets to do the dishes at Grandad's house.

[sanfairyanne]

I wont let mine near the crockery. Cant face the damage. It'd be cheaper to buy a dishwasher. But well done your 5 year old :)

[HaydeeofMonteCristo]

Of course yanbu!

[NotMeNotYouNotAnyone]

You're letting him not forcing him! He's happy, you're happy, dishes are intact and clean. Send him to me when he's done!

[EeyoresTail]

The water can't be warm enough to wash them properly surely?

[XCChamps]

This is why my DCs still ate of plastic until they were far too old. As above, great entertainment. Only "problem" is that sometimes, despite being washed several times for a considerable length of time, the pots aren't actually what you could call clean.

[multivac]

OP, I think you lost a couple of phrases from your starter. I've been looking around and have found "be so incredibly chuffed that I've" and "that I really want to start a thread telling everyone about it". Are either of those yours?

[happymummyone]

No it's great that he is taking part in chores, it's an excellent way to learn that mum isn't the family slave! We haven't let DD do washing up yet but she makes her bed, puts dirty clothes in the hamper, cleans the coffee table and hand-vaac's the sofa for me, it's nice to have a little helper.

[IloveGTA5]

Fantastic. Wish more mums had done this . . then we, as women, wouldn't be dealing with a bunch of houseworkshy, lazy buggers. ;-)))