Moms - what do you think?

dss62467

dss62467

Cathlete
I'm having an email "argument" with one of my best friends. He's only 30 and has no children, and just really loves to argue with me...so I'm not putting my stock into what he says.

I told him that last night I fell asleep on the couch after I picked up my 6 year old from school and woke up 10 minutes before we had to leave for her swim class. I was all flustered because I hadn't fed her dinner and there was no time, so I apologized to her. Then she said, "don't worry...I ate already." I asked what she had, and she said a banana and a pop tart. Nice, right? I felt bad, but told her I'd make her something when we got home.

So my friend told me I should be teaching her to cook, so she could make herself something if it happens again. He was suggesting grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, rice, spaghetti...

I'm sorry, but I don't think it's a very good idea to be teaching a 6 year old to be using the stove! I don't want her boiling water, that could spill all over her, or using the gas burners...that could set her clothes on fire if she's not careful.

When did you start allowing your daughter to use the stove/oven?

Basically, I told my friend he's nuts.
 
I agree with not letting her use the stove without supervision, but she could still make herself cereal(not the sugary crap), or a PB&J sandwich on whole wheat bread. Both acceptable choices in a pinch.
 
A 6-yr-old is WAY TOO YOUNG to be using a stove, IMO. My 12-yr-old is now cooking, but I'm always around to supervise. Once, she tried to make sushi rice... well, I was around the corner on the computer (probably on this site!) for a minute or so, and the rice burned. The whole house stunk, and I had to throw out my pot. So now, I'm much more attentive.

Anyway, I wouldn't listen to your friend!!!
 
My daughter's six and no way would I allow her anywhere near!

We bake together and she helps weigh the ingredients, mix things, etc. but when it comes to the oven, etc. I make her steer clear.

Probably before I had kids, I might have thought something similar - not having a clue about kids' abilities at different ages.

Ronne
 
DH and I always spar over this - but our DD is 8. She WANTS to be invloved in cooking. In her Brownie troop when they do camping weekends (and they started at age 6) the girls are taught how to cook around fire, how to use sharp knives, how to do dishes, etc., so safety is a priority. I totally agree with not allowing her to do these things without some supervision, but teaching her how to do it and WHY mom or dad needs to help is, IMO fine. I think it would be fine to show her how to do some simple safe meals, and watch her do them on her own - then you'll have a comfort level too. (My DH thinks that our DD is just too young to be using the oven, knives, etc. - even with supervision. But I think you have to teach them safety and responsibility from a young age and help them understand why.)

Lorrie

Pain is temporary - quitting lasts forever
Candace Grasso, CC-V-6
 
That is cool that she took care of herself while you were sleeping, when my daughter was that age she would wake me up if she was hungry. 6 is way too young to use the stove. but she can learn to make sandwiches. Now, my daughter is 13 and she used the oven for the first time last week to bake her "own" cookies. I know I may be bad, but even though she is 13 , I still don't allow her to use the stove top. but the microwave she has been using for about a year. She was an only child for 10 years and me and Dh did everything for her, so now she is trying to be a bit more independent.
 
I definitely agree with you, Mom!!! Kids that young need supervision if they want to be near the stove. Peanut butter, milk and fruit are good choices in a pinch. He has no idea what he's talking about. Take care, Nancy~~
 
I agree no stove. I do have a funny story though. My DH was out of town for work last week and he called me in the morning while DS was getting ready for school. Well DS said it's ok mom I'll make myself some toast with peanut butter on it. So I say ok thanks honey. Well, I got off the phone and DS had made his toast ummm but he put the peanut butter on first then put it in the toaster! Yuck what a mess. I explained it to him and he agreed to make the toast first from now on. LOL.
LD
 
WHAT! Absolutely not. I don't even let my 15 year old use the stove if I'm not home (and in the kitchen, I don't think he pays enough attention to what he's doing).
 
My 9 year old son is just now starting to use the microwave, and that is under supervision. No way on the stove or oven thing. Why don't you just tell your friend that he should have thrown in grilling as an option as well, why not let the kid handle the propane too??}(
 
:) I don't think I'd ever allow him to babysit, nor do I think he'd want to. I love the guy...but he is very clueless when it comes to kids. He's also not married and tries to give me (very niave) marriage advice. The only advice he gives that I listen to is how to fix my computer (he's a techie).


Thanks for the input, everyone! She does know how to get herself cereal and make PB&J sandwiches. She also helps me when I'm cooking - measuring stuff and she loves to roll meatballs, but won't eat them. Her idea of eating cereal is to grab my box of Kashi Go Lean Crunch and eat it out of the box. She loves the stuff.
 
Donna, your 6-year old did very well with feeding herself! That shows independence, good job! But, I agree, the stove is out of her league right now. My boys had a hard time, even as teenagers, remembering to pay attention to pans of cooking food. I recall a few times they got distracted and forgot and soon something was burning. (One of them wandered out of the kitchen while making popcorn in the microwave and started a fire - so that can be dangerous too I suppose). sigh. :(
 
With all due respect, I never took naps when my daughter was that young. I can't imagine leaving a 6 year old unattended. But that's just me. It may be because my 7 year old cousin set the drapes on fire when my aunt was napping. He got ahold of some matches and half the house burnt down :eek:
 
My DS was about 10 when he first began to use the stove. I did/have taken cat naps with the kids (lightly sleep on couch while they watch cartoons). RARELY have I done this (could count on one hand for the almost 13 years I've been a mom).

Kuddos to your daughter for eating a banana with her pop tart! Yeah!

I agree with post earlier...don't trust your kids alone with this guy!!! :D :D

~Melanie~

Jadon born 11/23/05
Justin born 1/17/04
Jory born 4/9/94

" Take care of your body like it will last a lifetime. Take care of your soul like it will last for eternity"
 
I agree with the general trend of mums here. No stoves for 6 year olds, sorry.

You should not feel bad about what she did eat. Perfectly fine if you ask me. Pop tart and banana is a mix of healthy and quick energy giving which she needs right before a swim class. Don't sweat it.

This happens to me often. My girls have soprts classes most nights of the week and I try and do healthy early dinner, but if they are home before me and hit the snacks or endless toast suppy before I get there, oh well, at least they have eaten something. Then I make sure they eat a hearty meal, proper meal, as soon as we get back from class. Busy mums cannot be perfect! And anyway, they like the pop tarts, or popcorn in my kids' case, so it's all water off a duck's back as far as I'm concerned. I have other things to worry about!

As ling as your daughter has access to fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereal and milk, and a toaster and loaf of brtead also maybe, she can easily make herself healthy food to eat while you catch up on needed rest. A six year old can probably handle a toaster and a knife to spread butter and jam, right?

Clare
 
No one in the right mind would tell you to have a 6 year old cook rice, spaghetti, etc. I am proud of your little girl for grabbing a banana. Kids that age can grab crackers, chips and an apple easily. I can't believe your friend suggested that. Don't feel bad about what you said or what happened. Continue to be great mom. My kids are enjoying swim class too.
 
My girls are 6 and they help me cook but I have told them they are never to attempt anything on their own always ask first to prevent injury or accident involving someone having to go to the hospital.

I was 10 when I started cooking and watching my brothers after school.

beth6395

"Another one that proves equipment is not necessary to get the job done" -Cathe Friedrich
 
I agree with you and I don't have kids. 6 years old is way too young to be around a stove/oven and even microwave too.
Best time to being in the kitchen by herself is between10-12 years old with training with cookbooks designed for her age group.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top