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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to let my 8 year old make a cup of tea

27 replies

Lottey90 · 09/09/2017 09:32

My 8 year old just brought me a lovely cup of tea upstairs while I'm getting ready for work, as a surprise. He's been watching /helping me do it for a few weeks so he knows what to do.

I'm a bit Hmm at him using the kettle by himself though. Is he too young to be around a kettle and using it by himself or is this just a case of pfb??

OP posts:
Anseo · 09/09/2017 09:35

Just about the right age imo. Some eight year olds will be more sensible than others.

I personally think it's lovely that he made you tea!

BarbaraOcumbungles · 09/09/2017 09:35

I think it's about the right age for making cups of tea. I'll be starting my 8 year olds ' tea in bed' career off soon. My 12 year old always brings us a cup when she's up earlier than us and has this week had dinner ready for us when we've got in from work twice!

Start them off young Wink

lippy72 · 09/09/2017 09:36

No my son makes a cup of tea he started when he was 8 so one as they are taught how to stay safe obviously I don't make him but he wants to and who am I to stand in the way !Smile

Notreallyarsed · 09/09/2017 09:36

I think you're best placed to know. DS1 is 10 but has fine motor skills problems so I wouldn't let him, but my DSD at 8 would have managed fine. How lovely that your DS thought to make you a cup of tea! He sounds lovely Smile

SooFlora · 09/09/2017 09:37

Bless him.

Just about the right age, and he's obviously shown an interest so just reiterate kettle safety and enjoy your tea!

BrieAndChilli · 09/09/2017 09:39

My DD started making us cups of tea when she was 8 (is 9 now) on the other hand my 10 nearly 11 year old doesn't as he cack handed and would probably pour boiling water all over himself Hmm he does have poor motor skills and can't do thing like squeeze toothpaste out of a tube!

Worriedrose · 09/09/2017 09:39

He sounds like a really lovely kid!! Very thoughtful

MrsDustyBusty · 09/09/2017 09:42

You know your child's level. I wouldn't forbid him on the basis of age if he's actually ready in himself.

He sounds like a little dote.

angieloumc · 09/09/2017 09:45

Bless him, I bet he was so proud of himself.

pilates · 09/09/2017 09:45

How lovely - I'm sure you have taught him to do it carefully.

amusedbush · 09/09/2017 09:45

Aw that's lovely! As long as the child isn't too clumsy and is tall enough to safely use the kettle at the counter I don't see a problem Smile

Fiona1984 · 09/09/2017 09:47

DSS is 9, and started making his dad (and himself) a cup of tea a few months ago. He needed instructions to start with, but now we leave him to it. It gets me out of tea making duties, so I'm pleased :)

InflagranteDelicto · 09/09/2017 09:47

Love him! Teach them early , I say, 8 is a perfect age to learn.

jayho · 09/09/2017 09:48

My sister had an awful accident with a kettle when she was 5. She got up on the counter top and pulled it over herself. Complete accident could not have been foreseen.

As an unconcious result none of my or my siblings children have been allowed to use the kettle.

Big mistake!! I regularly get special cups of tea made for me with hot tap water Angry

I wish I'd taught mine to use it. You crack on

JigglyTuff · 09/09/2017 09:48

If he can do it without burning himself and spilling tea all over the place then he's old enough. You lucky thing!

Original poster
Lottey90 · 09/09/2017 09:49

I guess he is old enough then Smile. He makes a better cup of tea than me! Brew

OP posts:
ItsALardBaby · 09/09/2017 09:49

It's nice but.
I fell over at 8 after my mum had got me making her tea in the morning. I was holding a full, just boiled kettle (there was orange juice on the floor spilled by my sister)
10 days in hospital. Luckily very little in the way of scarring
You can't avoid all accidents of course, but make very sure he knows what he's doing and to be careful.

Thymeout · 09/09/2017 09:49

When I was a Brownie, there was a tea-making badge. I'm sure we were allowed to try for it at 8. And that was when you made tea in a tea pot, having warmed it first, so a more complicated procedure.

Manclife · 09/09/2017 09:49

Only let my 7 & 9 y/o do it when I'm in the kitchen with them.

TroysMammy · 09/09/2017 09:52

Thymeout Hostess badge. The first badge Brownies usually achieve.

OP I'd wait until he is 9 before he does the ironing though Wink

fleecyjumper · 09/09/2017 10:03

My son enjoyed making a cup of tea with the little travel kettle at a hotel so I then let him use that at home because it was lighter and easier to lift.

Natsku · 09/09/2017 10:11

YANBU - can't wait until my DD can start making me cups of tea! In fact, might try supervising her and see how she does (she's 6.5 now so probably not ready to do it unsupervised but can maybe handle pouring the kettle without spilling)

I make her cook dinner once a week too, its her job now she's a big school girl. The plan is that by the time she's a teenager she can cook dinner a couple times a week without my help Grin

Natsku · 09/09/2017 10:12

fleecyjumper oooh travel kettle sounds like a good idea, much lighter than our big kettle

blackteasplease · 09/09/2017 10:14

I haven't let my dd 8 yet and think she is a child who might slip doing it. But you know your ds. Depends on the child I guess.

She is allowed to make hot chocolate in the microwave though.

Mittens1969 · 09/09/2017 11:35

I would agree, it depends on the child. I wouldn't let my DD1 do it yet, as she has a tendency to be silly; if DH or I were there, possibly. But DD2 (5) loves to join in with what DD1 is doing, so it will be impossible without some supervision for some time.

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