At what age would you expect your child to be able to get breakfast for themselves?

[EnglishRose1320]

As usual prompted by a disagreement between myself and my OH. Just interested to see when people think this should be happening.

[franke]

EnglishRose1320 I'm lazy too //smile But you're right - if I was ill I wouldn't leave them to get on with it all day, just breakfast //wink Milk soaking up the curtains though? I feel your pain.

[IfNotNowThenWhenever]

Ds started getting his own cereal at 5, so that's when I started leaving cereal out for him at the weekends. He didn't make too much mess. And I could stay in bed. We lived in a flat though, so I was aware of him in the kitchen, and not too far away. I'm always a bit taken aback when friends of mine bemoan their 7,8,9 year olds getting up too early, cos I think "we'll, that doesn't mean you have to!

[franke]

That's and dammit. Hope you're feeling better soon.

[LagoonaBlu]

Why don't people buy smaller milk bottles, if the 4 pints are too heavy and cause spillage?

[Artandco]

Because 4pints in one bottle is cheaper than buying 4 individual 1 pints?

[BathtimeFunkster]

I think staying in bed all day and thereby forcing a 10 year old to be responsible for a 5 year old is some shocking parenting, sick or not.

That goes way beyond lazy to verging on neglectful.

[ShelaghTurner]

My 7yo makes herself toast, sandwiches, cereal and cold drinks. My nearly 4yo makes herself sandwiches and cereal but is not allowed near the toaster. She's not allowed to get drinks either but that's a mess issue!

I can't wait till eldest can make tea.

[Dungandbother]

Ditto Shelagh with my coffee machine. No kettle to boil, just a pod and a button!
DD is almost old enough to carry a coffee up two flights

[Lovewearingjeans]

We have wooden toaster tongs to save burnt fingers.

[EnglishRose1320]

I like the wooden tongs idea lovrwearingjeans

Thanks Franke, feeling a little better, hauled all the duvets down to the sofa and had a dvd day.

Lagoon- yeah it's a cost plus space thing otherwise I would, have done today actually because my local had sold out of 4pints

[madamginger]

Ds2 is 5 and he can make cereal and milk, ds1 is 7 and will make himself toast or cereal and DD who's 9 is just learning to make tea under supervision from DH or me (never on her own though).

[ShelaghTurner]

I have a tassimo so was thinking of training dd1 up on that. Well she knows how to use it but it throws out a fair bit of steam so I won't let her do it alone just yet. But I'm counting the days...

[EnglishRose1320]

Shelagh- I feel I'm missing an opportunity here and may have to take up drinking coffee so I don't miss out! Or perhaps I could train the 10yr old to make hot chocolate with all the toppings...........

Madamginger- I'm pretty sure making tea was something you did near the end of brownies to earn your hospitality badge (why can I remember that badge!) so I reckon 9/10 is about the right age for hot drinks.
According my oh by the time he was ds's age (10) he was making himself scrambled egg on toast whilst he waited for his parents to finish work, I assume either he was actually neglected as a child or more likely was actually much older and has recreated his childhood in his memories.

[madamginger]

I remember doing my hostess badge but it was in the 1980s and parents were much more neglectful then
Dd is only just 9 and in year 4 so maybe another year or so before she can use the kettle.
I do however let 5 year old ds2 use kitchen knives with strict supervision when I'm cooking dinner

[LagoonaBlu]

False economy art if the kiddies slop the 4 Pinter up the curtains

[PopcornFrenzy]

My DS started getting his own breakfast when he was 4, he wanted to so I let him. I put a little tray out for him with a little jug of milk, bowl spoon and sandwich bag of cereal. He's now coming up to 6 and can get it all out himself

[EnglishRose1320]

Popcorn- I'm contemplating getting a little jug for my younger ds.

I was trying to remember when I got my own breakfast, can't remember getting stuff out the cupboards myself till secondary school, but I think that was because I was from a big family, I think earlier than that it was just easier for mum to stick it all on the table and wechelped ourselves from there.

[BlueSmarties76]

My DS was getting own cereal out from age 6, that would be getting out bowls, spoon, milk and pouring but with parent pottering in the kitchen. Now (age 7) I would trust him to use the toaster, but again, with parent pottering in the kitchen. Lots of kids I know start to do it from age 3/4, but with parents around or older siblings. From age 7 the DC who board at our school have to take themselves to the dining room in a different building and select their own breakfast, which is quite a lot of responsibility.

[NellWilsonsWhiteHair]

Oh dear, I feel a bit neglectful! 3yo DS has been getting his own cereal for a while, usually on work mornings while I'm in the bathroom (flat so not far away). He started doing it of his own accord one day when he clearly couldn't wait for me to get out of the bath to help.

So far at weekends I've guiltily followed him out of bed, but I've been looking forward to letting him get up alone. I think that will happen in the next year max though - he's always up before 7 (often long before) and I can't do it indefinitely.

[NellWilsonsWhiteHair]

In case that sounds like a stealth boast (which it's really not!), this is a child who still sleeps in my bed sometimes, and has only just started getting himself dressed...

[Pollyputhtekettleon]

I went to boarding school at 11. Did my own laundry, schedule, served myself at mealtimes from then. I would think I could have done most of it from age 6.