My daughter, who's 9 years old, thinks it's unfair that I have her doing dishes on a daily basis. Mind you, I only have her do them once a day. I always tell her to leave the knives and pots for me to wash, and she does the plates, cups and utensils. Am I wrong for having her do dishes at this age?
2006-12-19 08:02:51 · 11 answers · asked by precious_jules81 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Absolutely nothing wrong with a child of any age having chores (love that old word). Even a toddler can help clean their room. Simple responsibilities should not be rewarded, either. It's about being a part of the family and sharing in the household "maintenance". Her reward should be the appreciation of helping her mother and finding special time to spend together.
Just my thoughts.
2006-12-19 13:15:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. My kids are 6 and 3 and they love washing the dishes. I only let them wash their own plates etc, and mixing bowls after baking cakes together. It gives them a sense of actually contributing. Its been a game to them since they were little. They also dry the dishes and put them away (again plastic stuff and in the cupboards they can reach). I was washing dishes at that age, its normal. As long as your not using her as a slave and making her do it with all day long then its fine. Most kids I know that are old enough to do it properly, take turns with their siblings each day to wash and dry and put away the dishes. She'll always think is unfair. She's just gotta get used to it.
2006-12-20 19:08:53 · answer #2 · answered by Monkey Magic 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're kidding, right? Stop second guessing yourself. She's at the right age to be doing dishes and a bit more. You and your husband put food on the table and clothes on her back....it's only fair that she wash the dishes. I'd even have her help you cook. My mother never taught me how to cook and I think that would be a wonderful bonding activity. Do things now, b/c you'll need the foundtation for when she hits her teen years.
2006-12-20 06:42:17 · answer #3 · answered by D.W. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you yourself feel comfortable with the job your child does with the dishes you by no means should feel guilty of having them help out around the house. Besides every parent deserves a break once and awhile. Small portions of dishes is by no means a mean thing you are doing to your child. I say congrats on teaching your child life lessons.
2006-12-19 21:53:25 · answer #4 · answered by jlo77 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is a great way for you to teach her how to clean, responsibility, and team work with her mother. keep doing it. i am 23 and i used to get mad at my parents too for making me do chores.. but now i actually look forward to do dishes with my parents because that means that i get to spend more time with them. i come from a family of 8 and any minute that i get with my parents are great.. keep making her do dishes because when she goes away for college she will realize that you won't be there to do dishes for her...
teach her about bacteria buildup too.. bacteria and fungus can spread everywhere if you don't clean up right away..
2006-12-20 00:33:05 · answer #5 · answered by quyen83 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are loving your daughter by teaching her responsibility and life skills. Of course she is not going like to do the dishes. It is boring and takes her away from other fun things....but you are doing YOUR job - and that isn't always easy, or going to make your little one happy....it goes with the territory....stay tough :)
2006-12-19 20:46:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
good for you. Stick to your guns. Nothing wrong with a 9 year old doing chores. It's not like you are making her do this for EVERY meal or making her clean the whole house.
2006-12-19 22:20:49 · answer #7 · answered by Ella727 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hell nooooo, if you don't teach your kids, especially girls, how to cook, clean, do yard work and take care of themselves, when they are kids, how are they going to be as adults? I explain to mine when they complain about their chores, that these are "Life Skills", that when they grow up they will need to be used to doing them, I ask them "so what will your house will look like if you never clean it". I also tease them once in a while that if they don't earn enough money doing their chores, they certianly wouldn't be able to afford to pay me to be their maid. You should feel good about teaching her the things she need to do to be a good mom herself someday. Happy Holidays.
2006-12-19 22:23:09 · answer #8 · answered by lilyvix2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No you're not wrong. There is nothing wrong with a child doing small chores around the house.
2006-12-19 21:10:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no way!! my son does lots of cleaning with me, picking up, vacuuming, and things like that. he's eight. i plan to have him doing dishes by nine, too! so there ya go
2006-12-19 20:47:43 · answer #10 · answered by yupyup 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋