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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect a 6 year old..

70 replies

zosia54 · 07/03/2015 19:53

...to do around half an hour of chores/ homework a day?
He has to set the table, tidy his/his sister's toys (she's 1), read his school book/ go on a maths website and do a writing or science exercise every day. Three times a week he practises an instrument for 10 minutes. He does it all eventually, but it requires some badgering, hence the question... am I asking too much? Is it a fair amount in your opinion?
Thank you for your views Smile

OP posts:
slippermaiden · 07/03/2015 19:56

Seems alot! My year 2 seven year olds have one lot of homework a week that takes half an hour. We read school books twice a week but they read a lot to themselves in bed in the morning. Apart from that they help lay the table and tidy their own rooms a little or help me put away the washing.

sparkysparkysparky · 07/03/2015 19:57

I'm no where near that with my dc. Up to you and what works in your house. Keen to see what others say. My instinct would be to cut him some slack on the studying at that age.

UncommonSense · 07/03/2015 19:57

It's too much in one go. Massive study overkill at that age.

And it is unreasonable to make him clear his sister's toys - it will breed unnecessary resentment.

MrsTawdry · 07/03/2015 19:57

I don't think it's an awful lot but I fail to see why he must tidy his sister's toys away. It's your job to do that. She will be able to help you soon enough.

AnnieThePianist · 07/03/2015 19:57

He has to set the table, tidy his/his sister's toys (she's 1), read his school book - this is fine IMO and both my 7 and 4 year olds do this daily

go on a maths website and do a writing or science exercise every day - this is too much if he's being made to. You'll do nothing for him except teach him that learning is a chore.

CliveCussler · 07/03/2015 19:59

Sounds a bit too much to me. I would lose the daily homework and instrument practice unless he loves it and does it without you having to nag. Setting the table and tidying his own toys seem reasonable, but I don't see why he should have to routinely tidy someone else's toys away, though maybe as an occasional favour it would be fine.

ExitStageLeft · 07/03/2015 19:59

Why is he clearing up after his sister? That's your job. Why would you think he has to do that?

Sounds far too much in my opinion. Really far too much.

BuzzardBird · 07/03/2015 19:59

6? Seriously? So much for childhood.

DevonFolk · 07/03/2015 20:00

Too much. Is the academic stuff set by you or school btw?

ahbollocks · 07/03/2015 20:01

I don't think its that bad tbh. Very similar to my parents except we had hour long music lessons weekly plus swimming weekly.
I do agree with pps that he shouldn't necessarily have to tidy his sisters toys

AnnieThePianist · 07/03/2015 20:06

I also don't see how that's only half an hour tbh.

Reading - ten minutes, tidying/table -ten minutes. He writes an assignment AND goes on a maths website in ten minutes? I doubt it.

lotsofcheese · 07/03/2015 20:06

I have a 6 year old DS. I would not expect him to tidy up after his 1-year old sister. We do 10-15 mins homework daily (I supervise him) plus maths at the weekend (20 mins).

Other than that, I ask him to put his laundry in the basket & bring his used dishes to the dishwasher.

Wadingthroughsoup · 07/03/2015 20:07

My 6 year-old (nearly 7) does pretty much exactly the same as slippermaiden's DCs.

Personally, I think yours is doing too much, but that's not my business!

my2centsis · 07/03/2015 20:09

I don't think he should have to pick up after his sister.. Your her mother fgs.. That's your job! Way too much study! He is 6! All you will achieve is him hating it

backwardpossom · 07/03/2015 20:09

I don't think it's too much to expect them to do a few chores, but maybe what you've described is a bit too much. And don't make him tidy his sister's toys, that's not fair.

DS is 5.5 and he has to tidy up 10 things at the end of the day on top of any homework he has. I think that's plenty.

kwerty · 07/03/2015 20:10

Why is it too much for him to tidy all the toys? he's not spring cleaning the house, just putting a few toys in a box, or on a shelf. I would do the reading and the music, if he is keen, and maybe something else at the weekends.

ahbollocks · 07/03/2015 20:12

Im starting to feel a bit hard done by Grin we also changed our sheets and hoovered on Saturdays and dusted the house.
Do pp's really think its too much??
My 3 yo helps me with the washing and hoovers the settee nearly everyday.

TidyDancer · 07/03/2015 20:12

Far too much imo. The maths and science stuff seems unnecessary (why do you do this?) and I wouldn't be making him clear away his sister's toys.

TeenAndTween · 07/03/2015 20:12

YABU
My 10yo doesn't do this much.
Maths OR science OR writing would be more reasonable imo.
(And would still be a lot for a 6yo)

hazeyjane · 07/03/2015 20:13

It would take my dd (7) about half an hour to read her school book!

I wouldn't expect one of my dcs to tidy up after the others, we have tidy up time, and all do it (well ds has a go, but usually makes more mess)

My dds (7 and 8) do their homework (twice a week), read most evenings (but sometimes don't), practice their instruments when they want ( usually 3 or 4 times a week), help with tidying up and that is about it.

Original poster
zosia54 · 07/03/2015 20:15

Thank you. Currently rethinking schedule Smile
DevonFolk: The reading is set by school, it has to be daily but he doesn't mind. The maths website is a school subscription but they don't specify how often. There is another learning website, again, not specified. The science/writing exercise is from me. Music practice is set by his music teacher.

OP posts:
ahbollocks · 07/03/2015 20:16

OP are you russian/polish? I think we/they work their kids a little bit harder

TheChickenSituation · 07/03/2015 20:16

It does send overkill, somewhat.

BestZebbie · 07/03/2015 20:16

I think it might depend on how it is done - if he is sent off to 'do chores' for half an hour, probably a bit much, but if he is playing throughout the day and at the end of each activity the toys are tidied away before the next lot come out and it adds up to half an hour (and one of the activities is a short educational one) then imo YANBU.

Liara · 07/03/2015 20:20

Doesn't sound that bad to me, but it would depend on how tired he is after school (mine don't go to school so I don't know).

I don't see a problem with tidying away all the toys, including his sister's. So what if it's your job, in reality all chores are, it is just something you are asking him to help you with because it's something he can do and he is tidying his toys anyway.

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