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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how much you could do round the house at 21?

160 replies

StupidMistakes · 08/12/2013 23:05

Did you
*Know how to use the washing machine?
*know where the fuses were?
*Know how to reset the boiler?
*know water has to be paid for?
*Know how to wash up?

Three of the above things are acceptable not to know but seriously my flat mate at 21 didn't know how to use a washing machine, where the powder went or the difference between fabric softner and washing powder!!!

OP posts:
FortyDoorsToNowhere · 08/12/2013 23:19

everything. I had my own home and a child by then.

phantomnamechanger · 08/12/2013 23:19

how does someone get to the age of 18 not knowing you wash towels, not ever seeing his parents hang out towels, or get them out of the dryer and fold them into the airing cupboard? 18 years old!!My kids have helped with the laundry since being 18 months old, passing me pegs, helping to match up socks.

Original poster
StupidMistakes · 08/12/2013 23:20

I mean to just relight the boiler

I could change a fuse before I started secondary school, I will say I am asking this about a MALE house mate, who woke me cos they had managed to trip a switch at 2 AM and didn't know how to fix it

Washing up I end up doing

OP posts:
sleepyhead · 08/12/2013 23:20

Everything. I left home at 18 and had been well versed by my parents in cooking, cleaning etc.

The only thing I wouldn't have known about from your list was the boiler because we didn't have central heating, in fact I didn't have a boiler until I was 39...

SummerRain · 08/12/2013 23:20

I moved out of home at 17 and had my first child at 20 so was well able to do all those things at 21.

I could do all of them before I left home though, I was brought up to know how to take care of myself and was taught all the housekeeping and diy basics from a young age.

FryOneFatManic · 08/12/2013 23:21

I did pretty much anything required, as I left home at 21.

lisad123everybodydancenow · 08/12/2013 23:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ILoveAFullFridge · 08/12/2013 23:22

I could do all those things and more, and I was, technically, still living at home then (away at Uni, but came back for a few more years).

But there were boys in the student house who didn't know how to cook rice, and didn't even know to look for instructions on the packet. And, yes, it was always the boys. That said, there were also some excellent cooks among the boys. Interestingly, they were also the only boys who did any ironing.

Jiltedjohnsjulie · 08/12/2013 23:22

Would have done them all except the boiler but in my defence you took your life in your hands with our boiler!

MrsCakesPremonition · 08/12/2013 23:22

*Know how to use the washing machine? - Yes, did my own laundry and ironing from about 14yo.

*know where the fuses were? - Yes, but wasn't allowed couldn't fix them (but that was in the days before the nice, modern units where you just flip a switch).

*Know how to reset the boiler? - Nope - in fact I don't know what you mean about resetting a boiler. It's not something DH and I have ever done.

*know water has to be paid for? - Nope - because we didn't have to pay for water until I moved in with DH.

*Know how to wash up? - Yes - learned as a Brownie.

ThedementedPenguin · 08/12/2013 23:23

*Know how to use the washing machine? Yes, been using since 16.
*know where the fuses were? Yes, although cannot reach them
*Know how to reset the boiler? Em no, but think I could manage if necessary.
*know water has to be paid for? No it's free where I live.
*Know how to wash up? Yes, been doing this for what feels like 23 years (my life.)

Still18atheart · 08/12/2013 23:25

I'm 22.

I knew how to use the washing machine at uni but have just got a new one and haven't a clue, but if i actually looked at the manual i think i would eventually get clean clothes. Xmas Blush

Yep know where the fuses are Xmas Smile

Haven't the foggiest about the boiler. I think out the hearting on once but not entirely sure. Xmas Blush

Of course I know you have to pay for water Xmas Smile, not that I ever have done Xmas Blush

Washing up, doesn't everyone know how to. Xmas Hmm

RutaSkadi · 08/12/2013 23:25

Not much of them, I could hardly cook either.

Crappy student houses and enforced DIY helped, and then I had a massive leap in knowledge when I became a single parent.

mintberry · 08/12/2013 23:26

Another one here who moved out permanently at 18, so yes I could do all of those.

There's an awkward crossover on Mumsnet about that age where some posters are talking about their 21 year old man-children while there are grown up 21ish year olds here to talk about their own DC! Grin

LunaticFringe · 08/12/2013 23:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LittleMissGreen · 08/12/2013 23:28

Umm, yes to all of these
*Know how to use the washing machine?
*know where the fuses were?
*Know how to reset the boiler?
*know water has to be paid for?
*Know how to wash up?

Despite going to boarding school - when I first went we had to wash our clothes by hand, didn't get washing machines until I was in year 9. Did have to show most people in uni how to use a washing machine though Shock. As to washing up - umm surely an 11 year old should know that Confused.
And even my 5 year old knows you pay for water...

OhWellWhatToDo · 08/12/2013 23:29

Did you
*Know how to use the washing machine? No washing machine.
*know where the fuses were? No electricity.
*Know how to reset the boiler? No boiler.
*know water has to be paid for? We went to a well. So not as such.
*Know how to wash up? Yes.

So 1/5 but I was very independent and knowledgeable in another sense (and I'm 35, not ancient, just lived in another country).

Preciousbane · 08/12/2013 23:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Monty27 · 08/12/2013 23:30

Absolutely all of it and probably more. My dm's house was immaculate, she and df worked, the house ran like clockwork. Bless them :)

Original poster
StupidMistakes · 08/12/2013 23:36

I don't like washing up apparently we need a dish washer I would loooovvvveeee one but doubt the boys would use it

Currently living with three boys I do the washing up because they are next to useless, I mean after three days of it sitting on the side it becomes beyond copeable and it was only left that long cos I wasn't home

Apparently its cos its my womanly thing to do and they wouldn't wanna let my talents go to waste!!! REALLY How sexist.

They also expect me to know first aid

OP posts:
Original poster
StupidMistakes · 08/12/2013 23:37

though only to a limited degree.

OP posts:
MinionDave · 08/12/2013 23:38

Everything. I lived with DH from the age of 20.

FreudiansSlipper · 08/12/2013 23:41

i had been living away from home for 4 years

they are being lazy. i never did anything at home but managed as it is not hard though it is very easy to pretend you can't so others do things for you

ProfessorSong · 08/12/2013 23:45

I was married by the time I was 21, left home when I was 16. If i didn't know how to to do those things I wouldn't have got very far. Xmas Hmm

ShylaMcClaus · 08/12/2013 23:47

I was living at home at that age and remember being confused about an anecdote my parents told me. Friend's DD showered and went to give it a quick rinse clean when she was clothed and hair dried for work and turned it on by mistake getting soaked.

I was boggling. Showers are for cleaning ones-self, surely? I soon learned when I had a bathroom of my own Hmm

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