... to think they should have been supervised?

[itsallslush]

Ready for the flaming... but I want to hear what other people would do.

Is it OK for a 9 yr old to slice bread for toast without an adult around - when he's not been shown how? The 11 yr old was up but DH was still dead to the world (big night out) so they were getting their own breakfast. I was at work. I know bread knives aren't sharp - but also that DC doesn't know a bread knife from a carving knife. Is the answer to teach him which is which - or to get my lazy-arsed DH to get up?

It's not a one off - though it's usually not because of a boozy night, just because he doesn't get up. But things aren't good between us at the moment, so I don't know if that's skewing my view of the whole thing.

How do/did you work out what - and when - kids should do various things on their own?

Your post isn’t clear. Did DH tell them to use the knife or know that they were going to?

I think a 9 and 11 year old should be able to make toast by themselves. It would be a good idea to teach them how to cut bread. (Or perhaps can you buy sliced bread? That would be easier for them)

My 7 and 8 year old make cups of tea alone never mind slicing toast! YABU, you’re being way too precious here.

At 9 I'd think he should be able to slice bread and make toast safely - although I'd probably expect wonky bread!

Buy sliced bread. You decide when they can do things when you have watched and supervised enough t see they are competent and it very much depends on the nature and the ability of the child. All knives are sharp and techniques need to be taught

A 9 year old should be able to use a knife safety.

YABU, a 9 year old should know how to do these things

My 9 year old once told me she'd used two forks to get a crumpet out of the toaster . We now have a pair of wooden tongs next to the toaster!

I would be buying sliced bread if they're getting their own breakfast. I certainly didn't wield a bread knife until I was considerably older than that.

Slicing bread straight and thin enough for the toaster isn’t that easy.
But I do think a 9 and 11 year old should be able to get breakfast independently so maybe as others say but some sliced bread or sliced bagels?

If they'd have been taught how to use it, the age thing would be no issue. But if they hadn't been shown then yes it's a bit irresponsible.
Could have had cereal?

I'd be concerned about the state of the bread if the 9 yr old cut it, I didn't master bread slicing until well into my teens. Also depends on how sharp your bread knife is, how sensible your 9 yr old is etc. And only you know the answer to those questions but on the whole I would expect a 9 yr old to be able to get breakfast by himself without too much fuss

Mine used sharp knives supervised from age 2. Unsupervised from age 7/8 upwards to cut up fruit/vegetables and bread.

That said, I have had a Montessori upbringing/education/training so am possible more comfortable with children and knives.

A 9 and 11 year old should be competent using a sharp knife. Teach them how two use it or send them to cubs/scouts/woodcraft folk whatever.

A 9 year old should be able to do that unsupervised. I'm not sure there is that much "teaching" needed to slice a loaf - I presume he was taught to use other knives when he was a toddler, and so is familiar with the concept? A bread knife isn't sharp, he just needs to know which knife to use. I really wouldn't expect a child of that age to need supervising to cut a slice of bread and make some toast, no.

That said, I have had a Montessori upbringing/education/training so am possible more comfortable with children and knives.

I've had neither - please can you explain why this would be (genuinely curious )?

Dunno about the flaming, but please say the DC are OK and there was no accident ?

my bread knife is very sharp!

What's all this 'should be able to'? DD is 9 and has never made her own breakfast alone - she's an only child and in fact usually gets up later than us.

DontCallMeCharlotte

The Montessori approach would have children aged 2.5 using sharp knives in school as part of a suitable activity. Their approach is to allow children to do the same as adults but in a safe way. So you wouldn't have 30 kids all doing it at the same time but a small group where they observe very specific movements to imitate. They don't use blunt knives, scissors, etc. because these aren't reflective of the 'real world'.

So, I simply mean that it's something I have been exposed to in a formal manner and felt confident to replicate in the home. I'm not unique by any means but it's not alien to me either.

Just make sure they never ever use anything metal (knife, fork) pushed into plugged in toaster to get bread out if it sticks!

I would definitely not have had a problem with this at 9 and 11. And would have been teaching my kids (supervised) from way before this.

Dc should be shown how to use knives for food prep..
Ds has a huge scar after trying to prise frozen burgers apart while exh was asleep.
He struggles to slice bread at 15 - blames being left handed!!