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AIBU?

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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:
Artandco · 04/12/2015 10:16

No, what's low carb about a bowl of porridge?

Keletubbie · 04/12/2015 12:04

My DD (7) makes her own cereal or toast if she is downstairs first. I do it if I am. Choices are determined by a series of upstairs/downstairs yells.

WhetherOrNot · 04/12/2015 12:16

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.

NO, it doesn't. She either: eats it, or: goes without. She'll only do it once.

987flowers · 04/12/2015 12:38

My 6 year old can make scrambled egg, or fried egg which she often has on toast. My 8 year old does her own cereal, toast or egg depending on what she fancies. I'm in the kitchen whilst the cooking is going on but like the fact they can do it themselves.

wonkylegs · 04/12/2015 12:47

Our 7yo DS gets himself breakfast and has done for the past few years, he tidies away afterwards too. We have a cupboard near the table which has cereal and bowls at a height he can easily reach, milk is in the fridge. He then usually has a bagel but if he wants pancakes, croissants or something requiring cooking he has to ask but that's generally reserved for weekends.
He gets up at 6 everyday and I think he'd get bored and hungry if he had to wait for us to appear on weekends.

mrsplum2015 · 04/12/2015 12:51

My just 7 year old gets his own breakfast (and has been doing since he was just 6). He uses the microwave now, maybe from age 6.5 or so, although often asks me to get his porridge out as it is quite high up and awkward even with a step. We use instant oats and don't make them ultra hot - they are kind of tasting temperature when they come out so no need for oven gloves or anything.

On the other hand my oldest DD probably only just started getting her own breakfast at 8 or 9, but has been making her own packed lunch, including sandwich, since about 10.5. Hoping DS will be on to that by the time he's 8!

I think they all play mum as far as they can - I often find myself cooking 3 slightly different variations of dinner and wondering why I'm doing it. Remember you're the parent you set the rules - as long as you are clear when you ask eg "What would you like for breakfast, I'm only making one thing" - it's fair enough IMO!

TheRadiantAerynSun · 04/12/2015 12:53

DS (also 7.5) makes his own breakfast if I'm about, but Daddy makes it if he's about... Daddy is a soft touch. There's no mind changing though; once you decide you eat.

coffeetasteslikeshit · 04/12/2015 13:06

My DC (11 & 9) are capable of making their own breakfast, and do sometimes at the weekend, but on a school day I normally make it for them while they walk the dogs. I wouldn't let them change their minds though, in fact, sometimes I don't even let them choose, they get what they're given! (If that sounds harsh, it's only when certain fruit is on the turn and needs to be eaten that day).

RubbleBubble00 · 04/12/2015 14:06

Mine get two choices of two different cereals on weekdays. They pick that's what they get, no changing

reni2 · 04/12/2015 14:11

Mine get the choice of eat it or don't. I hasten to add they do get to pick which cereal when buying it.

poocatcherchampion · 04/12/2015 14:14

I'm again surprised by this.
My 2 and 3 yo
Lay the table
Get out the cereal/fruit/yogurt/granola/milk
Serve themselves with some help - IE I take the lid off the big yoghurt pot ans cut the fruit. Serve milk from a jug
Eat
Clear bowls to top of dishwasher.

I'm sure a 7 yo could. And Confused at the teenager getting it made.

I know you'll call me smug but isn't it all abut teaching them to do stuff do you can sit around and drink tea?

cuntycowfacemonkey · 04/12/2015 14:17

My 7 year old makes his own breakfast whether it's cereal or toast. The changing their mind thing would do my nut in and I'd just say tough and not make a second choice.

CarlaJones · 04/12/2015 14:17

My 6 month old makes herself a full English each morning and will be doing Christmas dinner this year. WinkGrin

cuntycowfacemonkey · 04/12/2015 14:19

To be fair Carla ds would have been the same at 6months but we were mainly focused piano and cello lessons at that time and didn't want to split his focus

starry0ne · 04/12/2015 14:22

My 8 year old rarely makes his breakfast.. It just works better time wise.. I don't even give him a choice.. He will choose what box of cereal if he is shopping with me.. I know his preferences..

If he gets up before me on a weekend he will sit and watch TV but never even occur to him to get a drink.

AnnPerkins · 04/12/2015 14:26

My 6.5 yo son can get his own cereal but I usually do it because I don't have time to clear up if he has a lordy with the milk or something.

I would let him change his mind once I've started preparing it precisely once. Doing it every morning sounds like taking the piss to me.

fakenamefornow · 04/12/2015 14:37

My all make their own breakfast while I'm in bed cereal or microwave porridge, ages 7, 8 and 10. Have done for a couple of years. I just wish I could train them to clean up properly afterwards.

balancingfigure · 04/12/2015 15:00

My 8 year old DD makes her breakfast and mine most days! We have a combination of scrambled eggs, bacon and baked beans. I'm trying to eat protein for breakfast and she doesn't like milk. I open the can of beans and sometime help but often I may make a cup of tea and empty dishwasher or something while she is cooking!

We don't have this every day and sometimes she will have toast or cereal but I don't think I have waited on her ie done everything for several years. We will share getting bowls, cutlery, drinks etc.

BrandNewAndImproved · 04/12/2015 15:07

My dc make their own breakfast as well.

I'm usually faffing about ironing shit or putting make up on and they sort it. Ds is recently 8 and uses the microwave to make ready brek or shreddie porridge. They have both made toast and cereal for years.

I do get up on a weekend and make them a special breakfast to make up for being a slack parent in the week 😜.

DancingDinosaur · 04/12/2015 15:10

My 5 and 8 year old get their own breakfast. Normally toast or cereal.

wallywobbles · 04/12/2015 20:50

I moved everything down to low cupboards when the eldest was 3 and bought individual milk bread rolls (france) so they could help themselves on weekend mornings. She never slept and was up endless times in the night so I was totally shattered.

The youngest also always liked dry cereals so it was never much of an issue.

Weekdays I did it, when they were really small but just adding milk as required. Now my 9 year old makes and brings me proper coffee (as a bribe) one weekday morning a week, using an aéropress. It's not brain science and so far so good.

She also makes drop scones on weekend mornings. Totally solo is quite recent on that. The only thing I really insist on is tying up hair before cooking on gas.

RoseWithoutAThorn · 04/12/2015 21:04

And Confused at the teenager getting it made.

I'm normally always up first (I'm one of those irritating people who sings in the morning). I always made breakfast for my children and still do. People come and go in our house 24/7 due to the nature of the work they do. I often make a hot breakfast and leave it for reheating if they're not back by the time I leave for work.

OhWotIsItThisTime · 04/12/2015 22:24

She's dicking you about. Stop letting her.

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