Dd reckons I'm so mean, and all her friends' mums don't make then do anything.
Things like putting her clean clothes in her drawers and changing her bed are ones she especially complains about.
She does a few other jobs too like walking the dog.
I reckon there is a whole lot more she should be doing.
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Parenting
How much do you expect your 11 year old to do?
41 replies
Wallace · 03/02/2013 17:06
OP posts:
Maryz ·
04/02/2013 11:24
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
Ragwort ·
04/02/2013 11:25
I'll own up and say that my DS (nearly 12) is very lazy and unhelpful 
.
I am just as guilty for not enforcing more help. (And yes shebang - I do find I used to re-do the jobs but maybe that's just part of the 'learning' process). I particularly hate the mess after DS attempts to clean muddy rugby/football boots - must admit I tend to them which I know is not helping in the long run 
).
His room is reasonably tidy, but that's not really any effort on his part, just that he is not a hoarder. I don't tidy it up myself or clean very often.
This thread has reminded me to be a lot stricter about helping around the house, I would hate him to end up like some of the DHs you read about on Mumsnet.
Skivvytomany ·
04/02/2013 11:31
My elder two have to tidy own rooms 
Take turns at
Doing dishes
Weekly hoovering
Emptying bin
Sweeping floor
Sometimes hang up washing
Clean bathroom sometimes.
Strip and make their own beds.
I don't think their friends help out much at home but it doesn't take them long to do and it's their mess too so I shouldn't have to clean it all [ grin]
BackforGood ·
04/02/2013 17:15
Maryz - Mine are 16, 14, and 11 at the moment 
Fair point about whoever cooks doesn't clean up - that's generally how we work here, but I what I mean is, if everyone takes their plate and cutlery and glass over to the dishwasher, then it's a much easier job than if one person has got to start collecting stuff, then I leave said dishwasher open, and say "You might as well put it in the dishwasher, as put it on the side - it's not further to reach" 
purrpurr - I have no idea, I can't imagine choosing to live with a partner like that.
ThreeBeeOneGee ·
04/02/2013 18:38
Today DS2 (nearly 11) cleared the table after dinner, wiped the kitchen surfaces, swept the kitchen floor and fed the cat. The whole thing took him less than five minutes. He did it all to a high standard, but only because he's had so much practice!
HousewifeFromHeaven ·
04/02/2013 18:51
threebee if my almost 11 year old had done that I would say
"Who are you and what have you done with my son?"
Wallace ·
07/02/2013 20:36
It is the skewed answers I want to show dd how everyone else does MORE housework than her
She cooked spaghetti bolognaise tonight :)
OP posts:
BackforGood ·
07/02/2013 21:12
Excellent
As others have said, mine don't do chores to save me doing work (it took longer to clean the kitchen after ds when he first started cooking, than it would have done for me to make the meal), but to both teach them the skills, and also to help them understand that's how any community works - by people all chipping in what they can. Not many of the population are able to afford servants after all.
NotGoodNotBad ·
08/02/2013 12:21
A word of advice on what not to say though - I accidentally let slip in front of my 11 year old that her "help" was not always a time-saver for us...
(Note to self, engage brain before opening mouth!)
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