How do I convince my mother to allow me to use the iron/teach me certain things?

Question

Okay, I really didn't know how to phrase that question. But anyway, my mother won't teach me how to use the iron or allow me to use it. I know that clothes are sometimes... or perhaps, often.... made of plastic and such. Therefore, they melt, and I'm nervous I'll do something wrong, so I don't want to just try it out by myself. Anyway, she tells me I'm going to burn the house down or something...

Aside from that, she also won't teach me how to operate the drying/washing machine. I suppose it ought to be fairly simple, but once again, I don't want to do something stupid and wreck the basement or my clothes for that matter...

I'm fourteen now. I think she shouldn't have to worry so much... How do I convince her to show me how to do such things? Should I just wait 'til I'm older then, hoping she'll teach me someday?

Answer 1

She isn't just going to hand you the iron and say 'go for it!'. It will probably help if you watch her a few times, sit next to her when she irons or does the laundry, ask her about what settings you should put things on. The next time she does those chores, be right there and show her you remember what she said. "Those are whites, so they need hot water, gentle cycle, right Mom?"
also, once you are sure you know something, don't be afraid to go ahead and set the machine while she's bringing the load over (don't do this with the iron). Don't start it, just set it. If it's wrong, she'll tell you, but you haven't messed anything up, and you'll know for next time. I think a part of her reluctance to show you might stem from some uncertainty she senses from you. Our parents try to protect us from what they feel we aren't ready for. If you show her that you want to learn, and that you aren't afraid to make a mistake, she might relax a little. She'll still do it herself for a while, then she'll let you set the machine, then she'll let you set the machine and add detergent, then set the machine, add detergent, and add the clothes...do you see where I'm going with that?
Most of all, be patient!
hope that helps!

Answer 2

I try to teach my 13 yr old how to help with these things but she's not interested in any, way, shape or form. I learnt how to iron my own clothes at your age, bake cookies in the oven, and I had to do laundry for the whole family. Tell her that you want to help her with these tasks so that if anything where to happen to her that you would be able to help her, and that it would be because you love her.
It could be she senses you feel insecure/afraid and is waiting until you are a bit older. Show interest by sitting near her and watch her, ask her questions about what she is doing, how she does it. Start off small, like learning how to sort clothing properly. Eventually she will see that you are truly interested.
Good luck.

Answer 3

dont wait till your older! ur mom is trying to keep you a little kid or something. if you keep going down the path your on and not learning how to do any of these thing yourself your going to still be living there by the time your 30!at least you want to learn how to do stuff. some kids are fine just not ever doing anything for themselves and are always going to be dependent on other people. if you wanna try to use the iron, you can practice on towels. or have another family member teach you. if you want to try to wash clothes, just follow the directions on the tags of the clothes and the boxes of laundry detergent. and if your worried about messing stuff up with the wash, then just practice with towels too. you should be learning how to do this stuff by now. im 16 and have been doing it since i was 13.

Answer 4

I commend you for wanting to learn to do these things.

I learned to iron as soon as I was tall enough to stand at the non adjustable ironing board. And I learned to iron left handed! (I'm right handed. the ironing board was too heavy for me to turn around)

I think your mom has some problems giving up some responsiblity.

It will be fine... just remember that clothing has tags in them that tell you how to wash them. Like in cold water dry at low temp. Ironing, the iron has temp setting on it. Cotton is the highest.... most of the time there is info about what setting you need to use when you iron a garment as well.

Answer 5

Move in with us, I'll show ya how!!! *LOL*

Really... it's time for you to know how to do these things. You'll be looking for work in another couple of years, and you'll be an adult in just 4 years. At what point are you supposed to learn these things, and who's supposed to teach you, if not your mom? How are you going to hold down a job if you don't know basic things like this? She's really doing you a disservice, kiddo.

It sounds, though, like she's struggling a bit with you growing up. Let her know that your growing up is happening, whether she likes it or not... but that you'd sure appreciate her help!

Answer 6

wow.
just tell her your compitant.

my mom doesn't like me to use to iron because i can never get it right. i just end up making more wrinkles than ironing them out, but thats just me i just dont get it.

your cloths wont catch on fire unless you like leve the iron on it for like 2 minutes and dont move it,
irons now a days use steam to iron out clothes so just think, the only fire thats really could happen would be an electrical fire at the cor in the wall because of bad wiring in your house, now thats not your fault is it?

and be glad about the dish washer and drier, my mom doesnt know how to use either, me and my sister and my dad are the only ones that the house who do laundry and dishes, and me and my dad are the only ones who know how to use the washer/drier and dish washer.

Answer 7

Tell her that these are things that you will need to be able to do one day. You're eventually going to go to college, or move out at least, and be doing your own laundry, mending your own clothes, cooking your own food, and these are things your mother is supposed to teach you.

14 is certainly the right age.

Answer 8

-Take her for a walk contained in the country, see some horses taking area in round, and then once you get homestead, (yet continuously calmed and fantastic), sit which include her on a snug settee, placed your arm round her, and click the distant On, and enable her watch Mr. fingers affair with the horse... She'll do something you want after that. Promise!

Answer 9

That's ridiculous. I knew how to iron and use the washer/dryer at 12! Ask your Mom why she doesn't want to teach you how to use appliances so that you can have some responsibility. Seems to me your mother has issues.

Answer 10

lol just turn it on, lay your clothes on the ironing board and gently rub the iron on it but dont leave it in one place too long it should work....ive been using an iron since i was about 7 and the worst ive ever done was burn my finger *and that was this year*