4 year old left to peel potatoes

[theoriginaltms]

My DD is 4, just collected her from MIL house where she slept last night. She wasn't home and was at SIL house which is next door. Went inside they say she hasn't had dinner yet we're just cooking it egg and chips. Then SIL start telling me my daughter peeled the potatoes all by herself with a potato peeler, I say to my daughter are they just having you here to do the jobs they don't want to do. They laugh and MIL says well last time she stayed she peeled my potatoes carrots and parsnips she enjoyed it by the time I came back in from hoovering or what ever it was she was pre occupied doing that my DD had them all done for her.

AIBU to be narked that my daughter is 4 and a potato peeler is dangerous especially unattended or am I being silly and it's just her growing up. I don't no what to think but I wouldn't personally leave somebody's child or my own unattended peeling my veg.

Hmmm. Not sure-was there some exaggeration involved? My 3.5 yr old is pretty good with a peeler but I hold the veg... in 6 months it’s not unimaginable he could do it himself. Worst case he’d lose some skin not a whole finger...

A potato peeler isn’t dangerous, little ones love helping.

My 7 year old loves peeling veg and has since he was about 4.

Unfortunately he’s now worked out it’s more fun to peel them into amusing shapes 😂😂

Yes, you are. Worst case she nicks herself. Best case, she’s learned a handy new skill.

Really? Ok maybe I will put her to a few jobs when she's at home too 😂

I think it's fine. My kids used the peeler at that age and I wasn't always in the room. Kids often love to help in the kitchen, especially when they have proper responsibility. Makes them want to rise to the challenge.

Some kids like helping. She was obviously fine doing it so not sure why you are worried about what could have happened when nothing actually happened. My dd11 cooked herself mashed potato, bacon and beans last night and cleaned up after. It was at 11 o'clock last night so there was no way I was doing it.

"I say to my daughter are they just having you here to do the jobs they don't want to do"

You said that as a joke, right? Right?

You're massively overreacting.

I haven't got one but I will get one maybe if I see her do it myself I would feel a lot more comfortable

@unfathomablefathoms yes I was joking with that comment

Well done to her I suppose - I’m in my late twenties and struggle with potato peeling, it’s quite fiddily because of their shape and I find it easier with a knife (maybe I’m just doing it wrong ) . Carrots are easy enough - I’m sorry but I struggle to believe a four year old can easily peel potatoes. Or maybe they’ve got an amazing potato peeler? Or I’m just unbelievably inept...

I think it would be a very good way of developing fine motor skills and building up manual strength. I didn't get my own DD or grandhcildren to do this because we never peel potatoes, we eat the skin.

@Pinkblueberry yes I also use a knife and not potato peeler but maybe they were slight over exaggerating that she had done them perfect

They are playing with her and letting her help.
Breathe out.
Now go and buy a peeler and capitalise

@TheQueef I definitely will be haha!

Sounds lovely. I think you’re being unfair. Children love doing these things. I would let my 4yr old use a potato peeler under general rather than close supervision (I.e I might pop to the loo or be prepping other food for dinner).

My 4 year old tries this, pretty useless so far at it but keep encouraging. 4 year olds should be doing jobs about the house. Mine loads and unloads washing, dusts, makes bed, helps unload the dishwasher, can do washing up but does get the place a bit wet and helps with cooking so some chopping, loading things in to pots, gets stuff out of the cupboard using a chair to reach, stirs, makes the table.

I'm not saying every day or all the time or wants to do these things every day but I'm hoping encouraging this early means less fuss later!

Never to early to start them on jobs like that, starting while they're young almost guarantees enthusiasm. My DS12 has peeled and chopped up vegetables since he was that age. He is now starting to take on the job of carving the Sunday roast.

Much better than mil sticking her in front of tv!!

Mine helped prep at 4, potato peelers are safe. By 6 I taught them to use knives safely

Good lord, mine definitely could peel veg at that age. One used to peel carrots so enthusiastically there wouold be nothing left, just a mound of peelings.

It's a nice kitchen job to do.

She does help wish washing dusting and makes her own bed keeps her own bedroom tidy and hoovered. I just haven't ever considered her doing anything of that sort but I will definitely get a peeler so she can help at home too.

Some of my best childhood memories are standing on a chair “helping” in my nan’s kitchen, with all the adults chatting around me. I was definitely pre-school age when I was allowed to peel potatoes and stir Yorkshire pudding mixture. When the dinner was ready the Yorkshire puds were always referre to as “made by Sheila”, which made me so proud.

Your DD is having a lovely family experience and learning some good skills...it’s all good IMHO.

I think we always worry about our children but the only way for them to learn is for them to try it. Your worry is understandable but they do love to help and as others have said your four year old has now learnt a new skill.

My daughter couldn't manage until a few years older so I'd watch her at first before leaving her alone to peel them. She manages better with the Y shaped ones - some peelers she still struggles with.