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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that my 7.5 year old should be able to get own breakfast.

48 replies

CrazyMaizie · 04/12/2015 07:55

eveey morning I ask what she wants, she says one thing, I prepare (ok, pour cereal into bowl) then she'll want something else. If she just made it herself (like in sure I would've done when I was seven), this wouldn't happen. Difficulty is sometimes she wants porridge...then what?

OP posts:

Bounced · 04/12/2015 07:58

Get her to do microwave porridge - perfectly safe. Just find a cup that does the right amount for her and she can do one cup porridge, two of milk, shove bowl in for four minutes in microwave and use the oven gloves to take it out.

Blu · 04/12/2015 07:59

Don't do anything else after she changes her mind. If she wants different cereal just tell her to get it herself and tip the unused cereal back in the packet.
She is winding you up.

Bounced · 04/12/2015 07:59

7yo dd does this, with the aid of a step stool.

CRtester · 04/12/2015 07:59

Tbh, I think I wouldn't give in if she changes her mind! If you've asked what she wants, surely she has to eat what she's chosen?

And I say that as someone who's probably quite soft, and has a fussy eater, but even I wouldn't pander to the dc that much.

R0nJ0n · 04/12/2015 08:04

My DD is the same age, in my house it would be you either eat what you initially asked for, or you go to school without breakfast.

I doubt my DD could make cereal or porridge without covering the kitchen with milk, but if yours is more dextrous/careful I can see no reason why she couldn't make her own.

Original poster

CrazyMaizie · 04/12/2015 08:11

Thanks everyone! After the weekend (which is usually yummy pancakes) I'll start being firmer on this. I do feel like a bit of a mug!

OP posts:

Ouriana · 04/12/2015 08:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Enjolrass · 04/12/2015 09:09

I don't mind getting the kids breakfast as I am in the kitchen doing lunches until I have had enough coffee so I can cope with listening to them.

However I wouldn't be letting them change their minds.

They get asked what they want. That's what they get. End of.

Chasingsquirrels · 04/12/2015 09:14

Definately able to get own breakfast. When Ds2 was too small (ie pre-school) Ds1 used to get breakfast for both of them (3.5y gap) every weekday. But they still waited for me to get it at the weekend (probably cos they wanted pancakes or cooked goods).

They are now 9 & 13, tbh their breakfast requirements haven't crossed my mind for years other than ensuring that there is sufficient cereal and milk in the house.

mrtwitsglasseye · 04/12/2015 09:16

My 6 and 8 year olds get their own breakfast, unless it is porridge in which case I do it for them. The eight year old could use a microwave but we haven't got one!

TattyDevine · 04/12/2015 09:16

My 8 year old gets himself up at 7:15 each morning, makes microwave porridge and a cup of tea for himself! Something he wanted to do, not pushed on him by me, but suits me fine!

6 year old goes down with him mostly and has the same, so makes my morning more peaceful!

Now to teach him to make me a latte and bring it to me in bed...

Jw35 · 04/12/2015 09:19

Put cereals on the table the night before with bowl and spoon. I find the cereal pourer boxes good as packets can mean spilt cereal. Leave her to it in the morning. As for changing her mind-no if you've made it she eats it!

Chasingsquirrels · 04/12/2015 09:27

Tbh I am slightly open mouthed at leaving it out on the table the night before, unless I suppose the things are in high cupboards out of reach.
They certainly should be able to open a drawer and get a spoon!
And put things away, in dishwasher, washing up afterwards.

crispytruffle · 04/12/2015 09:28

My DS is 8 and for a while if he is up early will make himself something along with DS6, usually cereal, or toast jam/crumpets etc. He knows not to put anything such as a knife into the toaster! I've recently just bought a microwave so I've just shown him how to do porridge oats but he hasn't heated that up alone yet. I wouldn't give in to changing of minds though!

Jw35 · 04/12/2015 09:30

Tbh I am slightly open mouthed at leaving it out on the table the night before, unless I suppose the things are in high cupboards out of reach.

Why? What's wrong with getting it ready? She's only 7! Yes she might be able to do it herself but it just seems more inviting on the table to me! Anyway no big deal.

reni2 · 04/12/2015 09:34

I wouldn't do an alternative breakfast having poured one, does she tell you before you added the milk or do you throw it away/ eat her rejects?

Kitsandkids · 04/12/2015 09:36

My kids are almost 7 and coming up to 8. I make breakfast for them each morning. The older one is terrible for changing his mind about his decisions. But, if cereal that he initially asked for is already in the bowl he knows it's too late to change his mind and he has to eat it.

Cloppysow · 04/12/2015 09:43

I still make my teens breakfast every morning, but only because i am a very early riser and my kitchen is tiny so three people can't fit in it at the same time. I'm off on fridays and i promised myself i would have a lie in and let them sort themselves out. I was up at 6. Again.

capercaillie · 04/12/2015 09:46

My 8 year old gets his own breakfast every day. Haven't let him use the bread knife yet but he can sort cereal and drinks. He also made and cooked pancakes this morning - we have an inset day so no rush! He can also manage scrambled eggs or omelette. Very useful!

Original poster

CrazyMaizie · 04/12/2015 09:49

Usually she tells me before I've added milk so I just pour back into box. This morning it was toast and then she changed her mind to muesli. I made her eat some of the toast but then it puts pressure on an already busy morning to then let her have some other breakfast. I tried the leaving breakfast things out the night before but after I found evidence of a furry, four legged visitor I stopped doing that. The cupboard is low down - just next to the table. The microwave is too high up for her to manage - I could agree to still do that so long as it's her first request!

OP posts:

Dipankrispaneven · 04/12/2015 09:52

Tell her from now on she eats her first choice or sorts out her own breakfast and make it happen. She'll learn pretty quickly.

ILiveAtTheBeach · 04/12/2015 09:54

A 7 year old can't pour their own cereal in to a bowl?

Artandco · 04/12/2015 09:55

I make mine breakfast. We mainly give them
Porridge or poached eggs/ boiled eggs with beans/ mushrooms/ tomatoes so I can't see them doing that for a good few years alone as I wouldn't want them boiling hot water or using pans alone.

For a cold breakfast they have Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts which I suppose hey could do in a year or so ( mins are a bit younger)

LizKeen · 04/12/2015 09:56

Yep, more than capable.

My 6 yo has been getting her and her younger sister their breakfast for the past 9 months or so. Through choice, not because I made her. At first we had milk spillages, and cereal mess...but they need to go through that so they learn how to do it neatly.

It is either cereal or toast in this house. She can use the toaster fine. The jam or butter she finds tricky, and it can be messy with crumbs and a few drops of jam, but it takes seconds to wipe up so I don't mind. Cereal she can do with ease now, and no mess at all.

I wouldn't allow a change of mind at all though.

M48294Y · 04/12/2015 09:58

Are your children low carbing Artandco ?

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