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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask which of these things your DC do?

74 replies

Ifixfastjets · 22/03/2021 07:25

If you have a dc aged 8 ish, which (if any) of the following do they do?
Any by choice?
Any encouraged by parents?
I was on the receiving end of a "throwaway " comment ..
I am curious as to how my dd compares

Get a glass of water
Make a glass of cordial/squash
Place baking potatoes in (cold) oven
Turn on oven
Take hot potatoes out of oven
Microwave some porridge
Wash a few dishes
Dry a few dishes
Put away a few dishes
Run themselves a bath
Wash themselves in bath
Wash their hair- short
Wash their hair-long
Dress themselves in weather appropriate clothes
Put dirty clothes in the wash
Put a load in the washer
Start the washer
Make their bed each morning
Change their bedding
Brush their hair and teeth
Tie their laces
Feed a pet
Make a sandwich
Make toast in a toaster
Make toast in a grill
Cross a minor road
Cross a major road
Go to a shop alone for one item eg bread with no road to cross
Help meal plan for a week
Help shop for a week
Buy ice cream from known ice cream van
Pack own sports kit/bag
Unpack sports kit for wash
Set alarm clock and get up for school
Mow a lawn
Fill a bird feeder
Put own folded clothes in their drawer
Fold own clothes
Hang uniforms for school

Wow... that wasnt supposed to be an essay
Nowhere have I said that my child does all or any of these.
There are some on the list which I expect.
And some that are "not allowed ".
Most are encouraged.

OP posts:
Ifixfastjets · 22/03/2021 10:32

Thanks everyone.
Some of the things in the list are what I did at the same age
I have a very independent 8 year old dd.
With very fixed ideas sometimes. With major meltdowns if I "do it wrong".
Eg if I pack pink swim suit and she decides she wants the black one. The world might end.
So I get her to pack it. And a towel. And goggles. And leave it by the door ready for the next day. I guide her, with a verbal list of the things she needs, but she packs.
My dad taught me to mow our small lawn, aged 9. I quite liked that "grown up" job. We still laugh when we remember he mowed over the cable, and I didnt.
We had a shop about 100m away on our street. I hated going there on my own; I the dark.
Probably 4:30 pm in winter. On the edge of a very quiet village.
I dont think this would bother dd, but she hasn't had the chance yet.
She wants to be involved with cooking.
So she is allowed to start things 8n the oven; when the oven is cold. She can do things like put spuds in, then turn the oven on. She does not take hot things out.
She will microwave porridge and take that out, with oven gloves. As the microwave does not get hot.
She can put bread in the toaster, but bot take it out. She will butter the toast .
She is perfectly capable of putting her own clothes away. Folded, into drawers. But half the time she throws them on the floor "for later".
Will happily fold mine or ds!
She loves things with buttons.
So if there is a pile of laundry waiting to be started, she will ask if she can do it. So she can press the buttons on the washer.
She likes to give a bit of input to the meal plan. Things like "can we have pizza on friday after swimming because its quick"
Or "can me and ds make pasta together on sunday"
I was impressed and shocked when ds sent me a video (before covid, so she was 6??) Of her zipping down the garden with the petrol mower!
But she is very independent and would have badgered him to teach her. I had only nipped to the shop!

The throwaway comment was along the lines of "you should be doing more for dd"
My reply was " surely I should be letting her learn how to do these things, especially if she asks?"

When ds was 7, he had his first school residential. Out of a class of 30, there were 2 kids who did not know how to make their beds.

OP posts:
Ifixfastjets · 22/03/2021 10:35

She runs her own bath. She knows to put cold in first, so if she does fall in, she wont get burned.
She washes herself, but I do her back.
She does her hair, but I check it is rinsed. (No shower).
We all wash up together. One washes, one dries; one puts away.
I usually wash. I used to dry as a kid.
She loves changing her bed!
Strange child!

OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 22/03/2021 10:39

They will never learn if they don't try.
My 8yo has been doing some badge work for Cubs over the weekend... Planning and cooking a two course meal, plus cleaning up afterwards. Changing her bed. Sorting and doing laundry. Making a hot drink. Sewing. Its all stuff they can do if given the opportunity.

(With toast... I recommend some wooden toast tongs. Mine have been able to retrieve their own since 4yo using them.

Love51 · 22/03/2021 10:45

We don't make beds, so that'll be my kids! We pull the duvet back to air them. I thought it might be too much chalet school as a kid, but my parents do the same (tbf my mum also read too much chalet school as a kid!)
They strip the beds and stick the washing machine on. I get it dried and back on before they go to bed.

BlingLoving · 22/03/2021 10:46

DS is 9 and does a lot more than quite a few of his friends, but I haven't allowed him to do any meaningful cooking etc as yet. He can make a cup of tea, make toast, heat up beans in the microwave etc and makes his own cereal/drinks every morning but I wouldn't let him use the oven or stove. He's quite tall but it's only now I'd consider him tall enough for it to be safe. And admittedly, he does have some fine motor skill issues which have made me nervous to let him do this earlier.

But most of the other things on this list he does - he's been showering himself, including hair washing, for years, can do basic tidying up of room and bed making (duvet changing has taken longer due to above motor skill issues), can go to the shop alone or the park etc with a friend. He loads/unloads dishwasher (loads v badly Grin), sets tables, vacuums etc but I probably need to upgrade to starting showing him how washing machine works etc.

This summer he has to start learning to cook!

FreakinFrankNFurter · 22/03/2021 10:47

DS is 7 (8 at end of August)

Get a glass of water - yes
Make a glass of cordial/squash- yes
Place baking potatoes in (cold) oven - not tried as we don’t put things in cold oven
Turn on oven - no
Take hot potatoes out of oven - no
Microwave some porridge - not quite but he is using the microwave a bit under supervision/to help me when melting chocolate or making scramble egg
Wash a few dishes
Dry a few dishes
Put away a few dishes - yes
Run themselves a bath - yes
Wash themselves in bath - yes
Wash their hair- short - yes
Wash their hair-long - n/a
Dress themselves in weather appropriate clothes - dress himself yes but always puts short sleeve t shirt on!
Put dirty clothes in the wash - yes
Put a load in the washer - not yet but been showing him how
Start the washer - as above
Make their bed each morning - yes.
Change their bedding - no but helps me do it
Brush their hair and teeth - yes to teeth but n/a to hair (short curly hair so no brushing!)
Tie their laces - no, we need to teach him!
Feed a pet - yes
Make a sandwich
Make toast in a toaster - starting to do this occasionally
Make toast in a grill - no
Cross a minor road - no
Cross a major road - no
Go to a shop alone for one item eg bread with no road to cross - no but I’ve let him go into a shop on his own while I’ve waited outside
Help meal plan for a week - we’ll talk about what we fancy to eat
Help shop for a week - yes he can but I prefer to go alone if poss
Buy ice cream from known ice cream van - not had one for a while as winter but I would send him to the local one in our park now
Pack own sports kit/bag - yes but I would check
Unpack sports kit for wash -
Set alarm clock and get up for school - yes, very recently started doing this and he really likes it
Mow a lawn - no way!
Fill a bird feeder - n/a
Put own folded clothes in their drawer - yes but moans about it and is a bit messy
Fold own clothes - as above
Hang uniforms for school - no

I’ve answered the things he can do. There’s things on there he can do but I’m happy to do for him or with him. Teaching him life skills and independence is an ongoing thing - he doesn’t need to do everything for himself yet. He’s only 7 and I’m his Mum. I like looking after him

Insomnia5 · 22/03/2021 10:49

At 8 years old my 3 would do everything except use the oven, change the sheets on their beds and mow the lawn

UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme · 22/03/2021 10:55

To support growing independence you should take over things the child wants to do themselves as little as possible but as much as necessary - it would be completely counterproductive to wait hand and foot on an 8 year old who wants to be independent just to prove to a busy body that she's suitably over indulged / pampered / babied - there's no good reason to stop her doing things for herself and do them for her, aside from safety.

Sh05 · 22/03/2021 11:01

@Aroundtheworldin80moves
My 5 year old can't even see the top of the toaster to retrieve the toast from it! Either you had a tall 4 year old or mine is tiny!

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 22/03/2021 11:05

[quote Sh05]@Aroundtheworldin80moves
My 5 year old can't even see the top of the toaster to retrieve the toast from it! Either you had a tall 4 year old or mine is tiny![/quote]
Step stool!

Norwaydidnthappen · 22/03/2021 11:30

My DD is 8.

Get a glass of water- yep and she fills her water bottle for school every day too.
Make a glass of cordial/squash- yep
Place baking potatoes in (cold) oven- she could do this
Turn on oven- yep
Take hot potatoes out of oven- no, I wouldn’t trust her to do this!
Microwave some porridge - if I showed her how to then yeah, sure.
Wash a few dishes- yep, she washes her own dirty dishes every day
Dry a few dishes- yep she does this too
Put away a few dishes- yep
Run themselves a bath- yes, she does this every time
Wash themselves in bath- yes, she has since she was 6
Wash their hair- short
Wash their hair-long - yes, she has washed her own for the past year or so
Dress themselves in weather appropriate clothes- yeah although she does occasionally need prompting because she thinks it’s cool not to wear a coat
Put dirty clothes in the wash- yep, she does this every week
Put a load in the washer - yep, again she does this with her own clothes
Start the washer- yep
Make their bed each morning- yeah although she isn’t the best Grin
Change their bedding- yeah but she needs assistance putting the duvet cover on still
Brush their hair and teeth- not hair. She tries but it still looks messy so I take over. Definitely her own teeth though!
Tie their laces- yes since she was 6
Feed a pet- don’t have one
Make a sandwich- yep, she always does
Make toast in a toaster- yes
Make toast in a grill- no, I don’t think I’d trust her near a hot oven!
Cross a minor road- no, I don’t trust her to do this alone
Cross a major road- definitely not
Go to a shop alone for one item eg bread with no road to cross- nope but I did at her age.
Help meal plan for a week- I ask for ideas, my DC tend to just say pizza and pasta though..
Help shop for a week- no
Buy ice cream from known ice cream van- yeah sure
Pack own sports kit/bag- yep they are responsible for this
Unpack sports kit for wash- yes
Set alarm clock and get up for school- they naturally wake around 7
Mow a lawn- no
Fill a bird feeder- yep
Put own folded clothes in their drawer- yes
Fold own clothes- she tries, not the neatest
Hang uniforms for school- yeah

She can make coffee in the machine and has go at making instant coffee/tea sometimes too (doesn’t taste great though Grin. I’d say she’s quite independent but she is also sensible which helps.

MissingLinker · 22/03/2021 11:43

There are a couple there, like mowing the lawn and making toast on a grill which they haven't had to do. All the rest, yes they could do those at 8. Whether they always did them is another matter.

Vallmo47 · 22/03/2021 12:56

@ UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme I understand, I’m from Sweden and had a very different childhood to the one I’m offering my children here. But the roads are massively different and times have changed. I don’t think it’s possible to ask these questions without including what type of area you live in, if you know what I mean. I live in a busy city and the roads are incredibly dangerous here. :) I used to ride my bike to school aged 7 in Sweden. Small town, hardly any traffic and bike paths wherever you went. It’s a completely different scenario to here.

I’m surprised at your school here. My daughter’s primary has contacted parents before to remind all adults that children should not be unaccompanied until year 5 & 6, and even then they’ve openly told me they prefer if parents “drop at the gate, at least”.

Vallmo47 · 22/03/2021 12:57

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme Sorry that was for you :) I’m new to tagging 😂

Ilovewillow · 22/03/2021 13:13

7 yrs old - 8 in August -
Get a glass of water - yes
Make a glass of cordial/squash - yes
Place baking potatoes in (cold) oven - he could but doesn't
Turn on oven - yes
Take hot potatoes out of oven - with supervision
Microwave some porridge - no, we don't own a microwave
Wash a few dishes - yes
Dry a few dishes - yes
Put away a few dishes - yes
Run themselves a bath - no he isn't happy unless someone has checked the water
Wash themselves in bath - yes
Wash their hair- short - yes
Wash their hair-long - n/a
Dress themselves in weather appropriate clothes - yes
Put dirty clothes in the wash - yes
Put a load in the washer - not tried but I'm sure he could
Start the washer - as above
Make their bed each morning - yes
Change their bedding - not alone
Brush their hair and teeth - yes
Tie their laces - yes
Feed a pet - yes
Make a sandwich - yes
Make toast in a toaster - not tried as he doesn't like toast
Make toast in a grill - as above
Cross a minor road - yes but supervised
Cross a major road - yes but supervised
Go to a shop alone for one item eg bread with no road to cross - not possible in our village
Help meal plan for a week - no
Help shop for a week - yes
Buy ice cream from known ice cream van - yes
Pack own sports kit/bag - yes
Unpack sports kit for wash - yes
Set alarm clock and get up for school - no we haven't tried
Mow a lawn - no
Fill a bird feeder - yes
Put own folded clothes in their drawer - yes
Fold own clothes - yes badly, he's left handed
Hang uniforms for school - yes badly

Troublewaters2021 · 22/03/2021 13:21

To the lady who lets 7 year old to shop as it’s 10 doors away ! Where do you live. We have a shop that is 2 doors down and wouldn’t dream of it ( London )

LemonRoses · 22/03/2021 13:34

In fairness, our eldest sometimes went on the primary school bus, on her own (as in no parent or adult apart from driver) from 4. The older children looked after the younger ones.
Ours used to walk to the corner shop at about seven on their own but there were only a couple of cul-de-sacs to cross.

UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme · 22/03/2021 13:42

Vallmo47 sorry I should have been clearer, I thought it was clear by my references to Europe and kindergarten but obviously I was assuming incorrectly! I'm not in the UK (opposite way around to you - grew up in the UK, moved abroad and had my kids outside the UK). Actually my suburban late 70s/ early 80s childhood was like my children's rural German childhood in some ways - I walked to school with a friend, without adults, at 5 in the UK in 1979.

You're completely right about location and infrastructure making all the difference to what's possible!

HotPenguin · 22/03/2021 13:52

I agree you should be aiming to gradually build independence all the time, but when each child does each thing will vary a lot depending on your circumstances and their strengths and weaknesses. My 8yo has ASD and dyspraxia. He can't tie his laces, and I wouldn't let him cross the road. But he can make a simple lunch for himself and his little brother. He sorts his laundry and puts away his clothes.

ChangedName4TheSakeOfIt · 22/03/2021 13:55

Mine don't cook food, like putting a jacket potato in the oven or using the grill but that's more to do with the fact that I make the meals. There's too many people in the house to have lots of folk using the kitchen. My 14 year old will occasionally cook a simple meal for her siblings if I'm busy.
They all do put the oven on when I ask though.
They don't use the washer because DH and I do. If the kids did then I'd be struggling to make sure full loads of the colours/whites/towed etc are done when I need them to be. Also they don't mow the lawn. Dad does. No to the microwave because it can come out far too hot and there's no need to let my child risk a serious burn.

But the rest? Yeah probably all that. I send mine to the shop regularly, I don't pick out their clothes or help them in the shower, nor do I fold and put away their laundry. They've been free to roam with their pals for years so road crossings isn't an issue.

Vallmo47 · 22/03/2021 14:45

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme It might have been absolutely clear, I’m just quite tired today. 😂 Is it Friday yet??

I completely get you on it being different in different areas, it’s a very good point to make. 👍

honeylulu · 22/03/2021 14:52

Mine is nearly 7 but ..

Get a glass of water YES but as she has to climb up to the sink (and is very messy) I will usually just do it.
Make a glass of cordial/squash DITTO
Place baking potatoes in (cold) oven NO
Turn on oven NO, she does occasionally warm things in the microwave but I'm not keen. (Didn't teach her, she just started copying me).
Take hot potatoes out of oven NO
Microwave some porridge SEE ABOVE
Wash a few dishes NO but is expected to take dishes to the sink.
Dry a few dishes DITTO
Put away a few dishes DITTO
Run themselves a bath YES though I often hover and keep an eye.
Wash themselves in bath YES
Wash their hair- short YES
Wash their hair-long YES though it's better if I give her a hand rinsing it.
Dress themselves in weather appropriate clothes YES
Put dirty clothes in the wash YES (wash basket)
Put a load in the washer NO
Start the washer NO
Make their bed each morning YES
Change their bedding NO
Brush their hair and teeth YES
Tie their laces NO
Feed a pet N/A
Make a sandwich YES (rather hit and miss and very messy - prefer to do this myself)
Make toast in a toaster NO
Make toast in a grill NO
Cross a minor road YES
Cross a major road NO
Go to a shop alone for one item eg bread with no road to cross NO
Help meal plan for a week yES
Help shop for a week NO
Buy ice cream from known ice cream van YES
Pack own sports kit/bag NO
Unpack sports kit for wash YES
Set alarm clock and get up for school NO
Mow a lawn NO
Fill a bird feeder YES
Put own folded clothes in their drawer NO
Fold own clothes NO
Hang uniforms for school NO

Interesting. I also have a nearly 16 year old who now does all those things (and he was far lazier/ less independent than daughter) so I'm fairly confident these things pan out. He's done all his own cooking since becoming vegan age 14. They've never mowed the lawn but neither have I, ever (husband does it). The laundry is a funny one because in principle we'd have nothing against the idea of a child aged 10+ doing it, but in practice hand does the laundry and had a "system" which he doesn't like being disrupted. I do the folding and putting away and I have my own (Marie Kondo) methods for that.

MirandaWestsNewBFF · 22/03/2021 15:01

Get a glass of water - yes
Make a glass of cordial/squash - yes
Place baking potatoes in (cold) oven - yes
Turn on oven - no
Take hot potatoes out of oven - no
Microwave some porridge - yes
Wash a few dishes - no, we have a dishwasher
Dry a few dishes - yes
Put away a few dishes - yes
Run themselves a bath - no
Wash themselves in bath - yes
Wash their hair- short - yes, but might need help with ensuring fully rinsed
Wash their hair-N/A
Dress themselves in weather appropriate clothes - yes
Put dirty clothes in the wash - yes
Put a load in the washer - I’ve never asked him to do this but he probably could
Start the washer - no
Make their bed each morning - yes
Change their bedding - not alone
Brush their hair and teeth - yes
Tie their laces - he’s never yet had lace up shoes, everything seems to be Velcro
Feed a pet - yes
Make a sandwich - yes
Make toast in a toaster - yes
Make toast in a grill - no
Cross a minor road - no
Cross a major road - no
Go to a shop alone for one item eg bread with no road to cross - no
Help meal plan for a week - no
Help shop for a week - yes
Buy ice cream from known ice cream van - we don’t have one
Pack own sports kit/bag - no
Unpack sports kit for wash - yes
Set alarm clock and get up for school - not without help
Mow a lawn - he helps us do it
Fill a bird feeder - yes
Put own folded clothes in their drawer - yes
Fold own clothes - no
Hang uniforms for school - no

SkankingMopoke · 22/03/2021 15:32

I have a 4 and 6yo. From your list they can:

Get a glass of water
Make a glass of cordial/squash
Microwave some porridge
Wash themselves in bath
Wash their hair-long (partly)
Dress themselves in weather appropriate clothes
Put dirty clothes in the wash
Make their bed each morning
Change their bedding (6yo)
Brush their hair and teeth
Tie their laces (6yo)
Feed a pet
Make a sandwich
Make toast in a toaster
Help meal plan for a week
Help shop for a week
Pack own sports kit/bag
Unpack sports kit for wash
Set alarm clock and get up for school
Put own folded clothes in their drawer
Fold own clothes
Hang uniforms for school

Lukasmummy · 22/03/2021 18:12

Mine are 18, 11 and 9 actually this list is interesting because mine all have some additional needs and I have tried hard to explain what they struggle with but it's hard to find a frame of reference.

Get a glass of water - yes although it's easier for them to fill their water bottles and the wider plastic cups because they drip it, they are also awesome at leaving the tap on.

Make a glass of cordial/squash - yes but I would probably have to mop up a spill at least 50% of the time. They can also pour juice but same problems.

Place baking potatoes in (cold) oven - no I guarantee they would forget to prick them with a fork or set the oven wrong or forget to turn it on, but the oldest can cook an oven pizza if I set a timer for him.

Turn on oven or Take hot potatoes out of oven - nope they don't remember things are hot and will burn.

Microwave some porridge - nope experience says they would let it boil over and since they don't actually like porridge I haven't tried to teach them. Although I do have some awesome large microwave containers with handles and lids that help with this if the oldest wants to heat up a tin of soup. Although it took a long time to teach him.

Wash a few dishes, Dry a few dishes, Put away a few dishes - They can wash and dry dishes, although the floor needs mopping afterwards. They can't put them away actually the oldest struggles to get a plate out of the cupboard he forgets he can't just pull one from the bottom many broken things mean we have a lot of plastic stored in the low cupboards to avoid this.

Run themselves a bath, Wash themselves in bath, Wash their hair- short, Wash their hair-long - The oldest can run a bath and use the shower, although he doesn't remember to have one unless you are pretty blunt usually "you need a bath/shower" is required. We run the bath for the younger two because they are easily distracted and have a tendency to wander off, so it avoids a flooded bathroom again. They can use the shower by themselves although we often have to send them back to actually stand under the shower not just in the bath next to it and once a week we wash their hair properly his is short, her's is long. Along the same lines of personal care they need reminders to change clothes, use deodorant. They have to be supervised to brush teeth and they both still need help with other personal care. His hair is short and currently blond he deals with it himself. Hers is long and currently purple (reward for homeschooling) she is incapable of brushing her hair and frequently screams and tries to bite us when we do.

Dress themselves in weather-appropriate clothes Nope. The oldest one doesn't feel heat properly. He has nearly passed out because he insisted on a leather jacket and a hoodie during a heatwave and went out in the snow in a t-shirt and shorts. I can't really do much about it except try to bargain with him. He still chews holes in his clothes too. He has lots of sensory rules about his clothes. The younger two can be steered towards mostly appropriate clothes although they prefer long sleeved cotton tops when it is hot and often struggle with coats and shoes. All of them struggle with buttons so they have lots of easy to wear clothes. The middle one has a tie for school and his dad ties it every morning.

Put dirty clothes in the wash, Put a load in the washer, Start the washer - They can't really manage to put their laundry in the laundry baskets when they are done with them. They can retrieve certain items and bring them to me. They understand how to load the machine, how to add the washing powder and how to set it and turn it on but they get lost during the process if we don't supervise and remind. They struggle to judge when it's full or they turn it on empty or without washing powder. It beeps when it is done but they don't remember to remove it and put it in the dryer.

Make their bed each morning - They can, but they don't and honestly since 2/3 of them still have incontinence issues it's easier for me if they don't.

Change their bedding Apparently they all can although they usually the previous post applies so they don't have to very often, but when they do the youngest likes to use her charms to make her brothers do it for her. The middle one actually likes putting duvet covers on so he often volunteers.

Tie their laces - The oldest can't the younger two can but I often buy laceless shoes or do it because it's easier unless you have nowhere to be in a hurry.

Feed a pet - we don't have one so I have no idea.

Make a sandwich, Make toast in a toaster - they can all make a sandwich or wrap, the boys can make toast, crumpets and the oldest can cut bagels mostly straight but they struggle to butter it, the little one doesn't like toast so she doesn't bother.

Make toast in a grill - No but I haven't ever done it either they make cheese on toast in the microwave because they like it like that.

Cross a minor road, Cross a major road - Depends on the road, the oldest basically goes where he likes but worries me sick because he often forgets road safety. I did spend a long time reinforcing safe places to cross. The middle one walks himself to and from school because it is a learned route and while there are roads he is good at crossing them. Although on other routes he is less reliable. The youngest is utterly unpredictable some days she is great some days she is a menace to herself and others. She doesn't go anywhere by herself right now.

Go to a shop alone for one item eg bread with no road to cross - The oldest can if it's an item he understands and we buy regularly, he usually needs a reminder of what he is getting by text if he has to choose an alternative item it all falls apart. He is not good with money, but he can use a debit card and self service tills make him happy. The younger two have never been to a shop by themselves, although I give them lots of opportunities to choose things and pay when we go shopping, they are quite good with money and change.

Help meal plan for a week, Help shop for a week They always help shop, but they struggle to even decide what they want for lunch the following day from a limited list of options. They have definite opinions about food, but there is a lot of bargaining, compromise and sometimes bribery to make mealtimes peaceful. If we remember to use the right plates, cut the veg the right way and remember who likes what it's not too bad. They do like to help if they are supervised they can peel vegetables but not chop them, they can grate cheese although we have to cut it first and leave more than we need because they leave quite a large chunk on purpose so they can eat it. They can help weigh out ingredients.

Buy ice cream from known ice cream van - They are not interested in the ice cream van since they begged for one last summer and he put sauce on it without asking, they were not happy so buying icecream for the freezer is safer.

Pack own sports kit/bag, Unpack sports kit for wash not an issue because due to Covid they have to go to school in their p.e kit and I have to wash it when they come home ready for the next day.

Set alarm clock and get up for school - The boys can but usually get up without them. She probably knows how but she needs considerably more persuasion to leave her bed. Mornings are definitely not her favourite time of day.

Mow a lawn - They boys like mowing the lawn with their dad they also both volunteer to mow the lawn at the Scout hut. She is terrified of the sound of the mower so she hides under the bed when they do it.

Fill a bird feeder - They probably could although they would be very likely to feed the grass more than the bird feeder. Anything that involves pouring is challenging they would also struggle to move it from the packet to the feeder using a spoon or scoop.

Put own folded clothes in their drawer, Fold own clothes, Hang uniforms for school Sorry I am almost crying laughing at that idea, they are perfectly capable of knowing where their clothes go, putting items I have folded into the right drawers, hanging up their uniform and bags and putting their shoes away but it's incredibly unlikely. we have daily battles regarding socks, shoes, bags, coats, ties and uniform. I spend a small fortune replacing hats, gloves, socks and now facemasks because they lose everything. So I cheated, I set up routines on the Echo Dot reminding them what they need to do in the morning and afternoon. So she nags them about hanging up stuff, reminds them lunchboxes go in the kitchen and asks them if they have homework or letters/messages they need to give me. We are all really struggling to get back into routines after lockdown.

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