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AIBU?

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Original poster

At what age should a child start ironing?

558 replies

Boogers · 13/04/2016 19:13

H and I had a big argument last night about the things that DS(12) can and can't do. I said DS should be learning how to iron by now, to which H strongly disagreed.

I remember ironing my dad's hankerchiefs when I was about 7 or 8, and when I was about 12 or 13 I was ironing my school uniform on a Sunday evening (in autumn it was 5 shirts, 3 box pleated skirts, 1 blazer, in summer it was 5 dresses and 1 blazer).

DS had no issues with co-ordination or ability to sense hot and cold, there is no reason why he can't learn to use an iron. H says that he and his brother never ironed when they were younger (his brother is 40 and has never ironed in his life; his parents, my in-laws, do it all for him).

Who is being unreasonable here, me or H? Should I encourage DS to learn how to iron?

OP posts:
prettybird · 15/04/2016 17:09

For the record, I never ironed baby clothes, nor do I iron underwear. Grin

I did once get told off for not dressing in an appropriately professional way Hmm- although in that case it was nothing to do with being dishevelled but more to do with being a young graduate in an industry unused to females and a fuddy duddy senior manager who couldn't cope with a young woman wearing a smart (colourful) dress and not a drab grey suit ShockGrin

Lamu · 15/04/2016 17:15

Oh FFS, if you wear a cotton shirt without ironing it you will look like you've just rolled out of bed!

Wear what the hell you want. Iron if you want to or don't. I promise I won't lose any sleep over it. Hmm

Lanark2 · 15/04/2016 17:23

Ironing is awesome, even if you have a penis! Its essential in the army.

lalalalyra · 15/04/2016 17:32

I think 12 is a good age. DH taught DS1 when he was around 11 or 12.

My 13yo twin girls are the only ones who iron regularly in our house. They iron everything except tights and bras. DD1 irons pants because 'she doesn't want laughed at if she gets knocked down' - she was most offended when DH and I laughed at that.

DS1 is a sod with his smart shirts though. If I'm not on the ball he'll stick them in the tumble dryer when they are just almost dry which (if he turns it up high enough) often leaves on the collar and cuffs needing ironed. Mostly he pays one of his sister's for doing it. I thought about objecting to that on the basis that I don't want him to think ironing is 'womens work' but the twins make £5 or £10 a time depending on his desperation levels from him and I doubt they'd ever forgive me! [he works in a well paid part time job for which he needs the shirts - hence why I let him pay to have it done if he cba to do it himself].

I think it's a good skill for them to learn. I'm quite regularly surprised by their friends. We had a 16yo boy stay over with us a couple of weeks ago because him Mum was having a minor op. There was no consideration to him staying home alone because he's not allowed to use the cooker when there isn't an adult home. His Mum also told me she felt it would be too much responsibility expecting him to lock up the house for the night. He helped DS make fajitas for the family dinner and he was genuinely surprised that I wasn't in the kitchen supervising them.

OliviaStabler · 15/04/2016 18:13

Which pretty much proves that you do not notice whether people iron or not.

Untrue. Luckily most people I know socially and at work take care in how they and their children look in public in clothes that do actually need ironing.

pearlylum · 15/04/2016 18:20

olivia- that is indeed a stroke of luck. I can't imagine how offended your sensibilities must be having to regularly mingle with people wearing unironed clothes.
Shudders at the thought.

OliviaStabler · 15/04/2016 20:16

olivia- that is indeed a stroke of luck. I can't imagine how offended your sensibilities must be having to regularly mingle with people wearing unironed clothes.
Shudders at the thought.

I hate ironing. I buy as much as possible that does not need it. However the items that do need it, I iron.

You might be happy with you or your family looking scruffy wearing an item that clearly needs ironing but you can't be bothered too, but I would not. No 'shuddering' required.

Hulababy · 15/04/2016 20:22

Definitely old enough to learn how to iron. DD knows how to iron. She doesn't iron often at all - very rarely infect. No need for her to do so much - DH does all our ironing pretty much and is happy to do so.

I can't imagine not having ironed clothes - somethings, imo, really do need ironing. You can tell when something isn't ironed, especially something like shirts, etc. There is no way DH could wear his work shirts without ironing them - they'd look dreadful! And thats regardless of how they are washed and dried; even non iron shirts need a quick smooth over.

pearlylum · 15/04/2016 20:23

"You might be happy with you or your family looking scruffy wearing an item that clearly needs ironing but you can't be bothered too"

And you may be happy posting spelling errors without checking, but you can't be bothered to.

FirstWeTakeManhattan · 15/04/2016 20:44

Are people so spoiling for a fight that they'll do it on a thread about bloody ironing?

ffs. Stop trying 'to 'win.' Iron or don't. No one cares.

Lweji · 15/04/2016 21:28

Or, more to the point, turn a thread about if a boy is old enough to learn something into a huge fight between those who iron (even if once a year) and those who don't.
Quite why people felt the need to tell the OP (who irons) that she shouldn't iron and shouldn't teach her son, is beyond me.

pearlylum · 15/04/2016 21:38

It was a loaded question though so bound to invite comment.

It's a bit like asking is my child old enough to embroider their own socks or start soapstone carvings, or "When did you stop beating your wife".

Some of us are simply pointing out that far from there being a "correct " age to teach ironing there is not actually a need to teach or indeed iron at all.

Lweji · 15/04/2016 21:42

Yes, sure.

From the OP: "the things that DS(12) can and can't do", "there is no reason why he can't learn to use an iron"

Totally inviting comments on the ironing itself.

SukeyTakeItOffAgain · 15/04/2016 21:42

Oh this thread is hilarious!

Honestly some of you, get a life.

espressotogo · 15/04/2016 22:35

Pearly, you need to get a life. Obviously the reason you don't iron is not due to lack of spare time judging by the amount of time you've spent on this thread being downright nasty. The comment to Olivia about spelling was a cheap shot - strange that you are so picky and judgy about a minor spelling mistake yet you are outraged at being judged by other people on your slatternly ways. Let your kids wear creased clothes if you choose but don't berate others for not doing the same.

ShtoppenDerFloppen · 15/04/2016 22:37

I started ironing at 6 - first pillowslips, shortly followed by sheets.

I was doing my school uniforms by Y2.

I was a cadet, so responsible for that uniform, as well.

But... that was a different time. mumble mumble Years ago.

Ironing isn't as necessary a skill now, but it hasn't gone the way of the dodo. DS does his own ironing, DH does his, I do the ironing for DD and myself.

Maryz · 15/04/2016 22:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

makingmiracles · 15/04/2016 22:40

Lol, only if the child desperately wants to...

I never iron, except shirts etc for weddings, nor do I ever notice whether other people have ironed their clothes before wearing, conclusion=it doesn't matter whether you iron or not, everyone's clothes look pretty similar after a couple hours wear!

espressotogo · 15/04/2016 22:44

Maryz you and pearly seem a lot more invested in it than myself and Olivia. We are stating our preference - you won't be happy until we agree with you which ain't gonna happen. Yes we do believe it because it's our opinion which we are entitled to - just as you are entitled to your slovenly one

pearlylum · 15/04/2016 22:45

espresso you severely missed that illustration about the spelling/ can't be bothered. Lost on you obviously. It was nothing about the spelling, it was pointing out pedantry.
Not a cheap shot at all, but a convenient tool to point out the shallowness of judging someone who doesn't iron.
Just like the shallowness of someone making a typo. I am berating no-one.

I am sorry that I have had to explain all of this to you.

espressotogo · 15/04/2016 22:46

And there has no been any comments about character and respectability from me - where have you got that from ?

espressotogo · 15/04/2016 22:52

Pearly, making a typo is a hardly a measure of shallowness - but as long as it makes you feel superior ........
Don't be sorry, I am amused at your outrage at being judged by the likes of me who dares to care about my kids wearing pressed clothes :) it obviously strikes a chord with you

Maryz · 15/04/2016 22:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

espressotogo · 15/04/2016 22:56

As do you saying the opposite :)

Wow my first involvement in a mumsnet gunfight - just wish the subject matter was more interesting :)

Cheers Maryz

espressotogo · 15/04/2016 22:57

'Bunfight' but then again .........