Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

to expect a 10 year old to get his own breakfast.

67 replies

iliketherain · 24/09/2011 09:04

As in the title ''am i?''

He is quite capable and has done it before. He gets up and turns on the tv and then sits and waits for me to sort the dog out and make his packed lunch then do a couple of jobs before I start brekkie.

It is not a time or work issue I just think it would be nice if he sorted himself out.

OP posts:

Proudnscary · 24/09/2011 11:41

Yes mine started at about 6 or 7, too. Though I did serve them crumpets on some (stained) Christmas paper plates earlier (don't ask) as it's a Saturday innit?

cat64 · 24/09/2011 11:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

valiumredhead · 24/09/2011 11:52

Take the remote away then.

margerykemp · 24/09/2011 11:56

My ds was making MY breakfast by age 8. Not a full fry up or anything but if kids that age cant do juice, cereal, tea, toast, beans etc then they are lazy and have probably been helicopter parented.

TheLadyEvenstar · 24/09/2011 11:56

DS1 has been getting his own breakfast since he was about 4, DS2 now 4 has been doing it for about 6m. I leave the cereal box on the side and just enough milk in 2 beakers for them (although DS1 keeps reminding me he is 13 now and doesnt need the milk measured out anymore).

ChippingIn · 24/09/2011 11:58

Why are people saying 'take the remote away' - the OP asked if it was reasonable to get her 10 yo to make his own breakfast - she didn't say he was refusing to do it!

Maypole - I don't recall the OP asking anyones opinion on her DS watching the TV in the morning.

TrillianAstra · 24/09/2011 12:19

If you have always done it then you need to make it clear that he is both allowed and expected to get his own breakfast.

Make sure he knows what he is allowed to eat and what is off-limits.

valiumredhead · 24/09/2011 12:29

Because he gets up and by the sounds of it sits mesmorized in front of the goggle box Chipping - if OP takes the remote away he's more likely to do things for himself/realise he's hungry. we had to bring in the rule that there is no telly at all on in the mornings until all jobs have been done.

ChippingIn · 24/09/2011 12:37

valium - surely the best solution is simply to say, DS - from now on I would like you to make your own breakfast please. There doesn't need to be any 'take the remote away' type action. Maybe you had to bring the rule in to have no TV until the jobs have been done, maybe your DC needed that - there's nothing at all to say the OP's child wouldn't make his own breakfast if he was asked to. Of course he sits waiting for it, if this is how it has been done for 11 years.

valiumredhead · 24/09/2011 12:40

Oh well, I kind of presume that the OP had already had that conversation with her boy. You HAVE haven't you OP?

zukiecat · 24/09/2011 12:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bramshott · 24/09/2011 12:55

I'm in two minds about this. I usually get breakfast for everyone and we all sit down to it together. If either of the DDs are sleeping in, or up early, they are perfectly capable of getting their own breakfast (well 8yo DD1 is), but generally one person does the 'getting'. Same with lunch and dinner.

OP - if your 10yo can get his own breakfast, and will do so if he's having it at a different time to the rest of the family, I can't see the harm in you getting his breakfast if you're getting everyone else's at the same time.

mumeeee · 24/09/2011 13:38

Yes a 10 year old can get breakfast but there is nothing wrong in doing it for them if you want to. But if you want him to do it then just ask him to. My DDs all could get their own breakfast at 6 but during the week I usually did it as it was quicker. It doesn't mean you're a helicopter parent if you get you child's breakfast for them.

PuspornInBoots · 24/09/2011 13:58

My 4, 6, and 9 yr olds are quite capable of getting breakfast. It needs DD to do cereal as the cupboard is too high for the boys to reach, but they can do themselves fruit and yoghurt, or a sandwich, and they can all make toast, but only DD is allowed to get it out and spread stuff on it.

MissIngaFewmarbles · 24/09/2011 14:01

YANBU my 7yo DD can do cereal and toast and 9yo makes packed lunches.

stepawayfromtheecclescakes · 24/09/2011 14:02

at xanthius Shes really god. I know we all worship our children but really? lol

ChasingSquirrels · 24/09/2011 14:08

My 9yo makes himself and his 5yo brother breakfast most weekdays while I am in the shower.
Weekends, I tend to make it, but sometimes he does.

OriginalPoster · 24/09/2011 14:10

Ours 13,11,9,6 make themselves 'first breakfast' cereal, toast, fruit or smoothies (they also clear this up) then I'll make porridge or eggs for 'second breakfast'. Greedy lot...

When we stay with other people they will ask 'what's for second breakfast?'

FWIW no TV in morning at all in our house. Not a rule, just never thought of it.

Original poster

iliketherain · 24/09/2011 15:10

Thank you all for your replies.

I do not want my son to grow up too quickly and a 4 yr old making their own to me is too young.

The tv is always on in the morning because my son is the class news reporter so he has to know whats going on in the world. As I like to watch the news as well its a win win for us and we can discuss stuff thats going on.

I have said he will be making his own breakfast from tomorrow and sort his lunch out in the evenings and he just said ''ok''.

I know it will not be a prob but just never occurred to me to get him to do it.

I do not feel like a servant to him, he is my son and I will nurture him the best I can.

OP posts:

gaaagh · 24/09/2011 15:19

YANBU at all.

Ours have "helped" (just watching and getting involved really) make breakfast since they were 5 or 6. It actually turned into a bit of a novelty at the start ("help your sister wash her hands or you won't get to butter the toast") which was quite surprising and nice!

Now though they just do it themselves, at 10 and 13. They've done it for a good couple of years, so I'm guessing about 8 and 11 off the top of my head? that's without supervision, I mean.

they are limited to cereals, toast and saucepans only though (boiled egg/beans on toast in the winter). they're not allowed to make anything with fats, etc. without supervision at all.

PootlePosyPerkin · 24/09/2011 15:23

I still do most things for my 10 year old DS, despite him being capable. Maybe it's because I'm a control freak, maybe it's because it's quicker than cleaning up the mess he'd leave behind in the kitchen. Who knows.

CurrySpice · 24/09/2011 15:33

If he needs to know what's in the news, put the radio on, then you can both be doing stuff at the same time.

Original poster

iliketherain · 24/09/2011 15:39

The tv is not a prob and this thread is not about the tv!!

By the way you cannot see an earthquake or flood on the radio at least not on mine.

Why are you against the tv so much? NO don't answer that as it is off topic.

OP posts:

Xanthius · 24/09/2011 15:53

stepawayfromtheecclescakes She has helped me alot to curb my obesssive nature, I used to have to do everything myself because I would get freaked out if things were done in a way I didn't like.

stepawayfromtheecclescakes · 24/09/2011 15:58

I was having a smile at the misspelling of good, not being serious

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread