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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to ask if your 10 year old can make toast?

195 replies

Fantail · 18/02/2013 06:40

I would say most 10 year olds can do this, but perhaps they can't.

OP posts:
cory · 18/02/2013 11:01

Who'd be a chemistry teacher, eh?

Bramshott · 18/02/2013 11:02

My 10 yr old can make toast but can't cut the bread. Not sure how to get round that one as we use a breadmaker and the loaves are fairly difficult to cut straight. I should probably start addressing that problem with her now though . . .

HeadFairy · 18/02/2013 11:03

My 5 year old can make toast of course he slathers half a tub of butter on it as well

Startail · 18/02/2013 11:04

I'm absolutely certain my 11 yo could make tea, toast, etc. except she doesn't like tea and employs DD1 (15) to provide hot chocolate.

DD1 is a dab hand at sandwiches, soup, hot chocolate, tea and more complex cooking if required. She likes doing it and DD2 is quite happy to let her.

Bramshott · 18/02/2013 11:05

I have to say that DD1 (the 10 yr old) also doesn't use the kettle yet Blush. However, as she doesn't drink hot drinks (apart from hot chocolate, which she does in the microwave) I didn't think it was really that important for her to be able to yet. Plus she's small, and holding and filling the kettle at worktop level is hard.

freddiefrog · 18/02/2013 11:08

Yes, although she trashes the kitchen in the process

She can also make vile tea and coffee, make sandwiches, microwave baked beans, etc

magentastardust · 18/02/2013 11:14

I am a bit (blush) to say I have never thought to let DS age 9 to make the toast himself!
Guess what we will be doing after school today!?

He has a 6 year old and a 1 year old sister so I guess as another poster said I am always around because of the baby so just make everyones as it is quicker.

He does lay the table for breakfast , and helps me with the washing and his baby sister etc -I just never thought to let him loose on the toaster!

ImpatientOne · 18/02/2013 11:37

I know at high school we were making hot milky drinks (on the hob), fresh soup and cheese on toast in first year way back in 1992 Grin All simple tasks to use the various functions of an oven etc.

At 10+ our Guides cook for themselves on an open fire, at Brownies we tend to wait until they are 8 for them to actually help with proper meal prep on residentials but we did have a chef in a while ago to teach them all (age 7+) how to chop fruit and veg safely.

For all those worried about knives in toasters may I recommend these A must in our house to ensure DH doesn't electrocute himself Hmm or for training your offspring to make breakfast Wink

absolutmum · 18/02/2013 11:43

My 10 year old can bake a victoria sandwich, make an omlette or egg and bacon, and makes me cups of tea., as well as toast!
We were only discussing that it's probably time to broaden his cooking horizons, so perhaps he should think about making some pasta sauces or a simple curry.
I want my son to be a capable young adult when he leaves home!

sydlexic · 18/02/2013 12:30

DS could make toast but doesn't eat it. He makes flapjacks at the weekend to eat on the bus on school days. He can make an excellent chocolate cake.

valiumredhead · 18/02/2013 12:58

DS is 11, he can make tea, coffee hot chocolate with milk in the microwave, toast, toasted sandwiches, scrambled eggs, omelette, lemon drizzle cake completely by himself and cup cakes, other baking with minimal supervision. Also knows how to roast a chicken as of yesterday Grin

Bobyan · 18/02/2013 15:32

Thinks about totally useless DH in the kitchen and furiously scribbles notes re toast tongs and omelettes for 5 year old DS...

cozietoesie · 18/02/2013 15:38

I mixed my first load of cement at 8.

Smile
Lastofthepodpeople · 18/02/2013 15:40

Goodness, my 3 yo is desperate to make his own toast and always insists on 'helping' me with it. I can't imagine him not being able to do so by ten. I was cooking for the whole family at that age, and making a little extra cash by making and selling cakes to the neighbours. Are there really 10 yo's out there who can't make toast? I'm flabbergasted. I wonder if they tie their own shoe laces.

dogsbreath · 18/02/2013 15:44

DS can make toast but can't cut bread.

wheredidiputit · 18/02/2013 16:36

Yes both my 5.6yr and 9 make toast (have the same toast tongs as above). They also 'help' to make tea. swishing teabag around in the hot water.

But I will say that I have let my 5.6yr make her own drinks at a far younger age then my 9yr old as she is far less accident prone then the older one.

greengoose · 18/02/2013 16:41

My 10 year old and 5 yr old boys make dinner every Sunday, from a recipe book. The last two weeks were chicken goujons (sp?) from scratch with home made wedges and dips followed by pancakes, and the week before home made burgers. If they cook they get to choose what...

I don't let my five yr old near the cooker without me, but fine with me beside him. He got a baking set for Christmas. He can make bread without much help now, as can his brother.

My ten year old often does the packed lunches and washes dishes at least two or three times a week. He hoovers and puts away his own laundry and tidies lounge and his room. He is also responsible for feeding and walking dog, feeding cat, and looking after his own flock of ducks. He is making a cottage gate stall to sell his eggs and jams etc. he really enjoys helping out, and helping his brother. Its been a tough year, and hes worth his weight in gold around the place. I am v v proud mum....

Fantail · 18/02/2013 17:33

Master Greengoose is going to be a good catch!

I actually think that most children love cooking as it gives a reward and is hands on practical.

DD (2) likes baking, especially when eggs are broken. I get "magic" and a round of applause.

OP posts:
TheCatInTheHairnet · 18/02/2013 17:47

My 8 yo Ds can and he's, frankly, a bit of a charlie. He also makes mean ribs on the BBQ. Supervised obviously.

Bobyan · 18/02/2013 18:18

Can I ask how you start the younger ones off using knives?

Bobyan · 18/02/2013 18:18

I mean cooking rather than mugging BTW!

mrsjay · 18/02/2013 18:20

knives for spreading do you mean ? just a butter knife they cant do much damage really when dd was really young she liked to do her sandwhiches so I still had a knife from a toddler set for cooking just watch them I have a small sharp knife dd used always supervised though

TrinityRhino · 18/02/2013 18:21

dont have a 10 year old but my 7 year old can

MariusEarlobe · 18/02/2013 18:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

badguider · 18/02/2013 18:28

for starting to chop with sharp knives - do bananas, grapes, or other soft things first and talk about keeping fingers away... move up to harder things like onions slowly.
And obviously dont' have the knife razor-sharp (but not completely blunt either).