Originally Posted by silverchick

blimey i need some tips from you, my 17 year old has a job heating beans in the microwave, although i think most of the times its a ruse to get me to do it, 'the helpless man routine'

Originally Posted by lynnxa

At some point they have to learn some responsibility for themselves and others, and also take responsibility for their own actions. I think one of the most important things we can teach our children is how to take care of themselves and others.............and I don't think they are ever too young to start learning.

Obviously I don't mean leaving toddlers to fend for themselves - but little things like picking up their own toys & putting them away, buttering their own bread for a sandwich, helping to sort the washing.............age-appropriate things.

My 7 year old can & will get her own breakfast, can cook a meal (supervised) or make a pizza, sandwich or hotdog for herself (I do the oven bit for the pizza), use the washing machine & dishwasher, make her own bed.

My 11 year old can do all of the above and cook a meal, cakes etc. from scratch - unsupervised. The (spanish) neighbours trust her to teach their toddlers to swim (always an adult around, although maybe not actually in the pool), and she is often to be found in the garden surrounded by all the little ones. You often hear the cry 'NO........ ME QUIERO JESSICA!!' when it's nap time

Originally Posted by The Oddities

Your girls sound like they are going to be very well rounded adults with the fact that you are 'empowering' them by giving them the correct amount of responsibility.

I love your inability to iron shirts - guess you do not intend to ever remedy that fact either!!!!!

Rosemary

Originally Posted by The Oddities

It made me laugh to see that your son struggles with heating beans. My dad went one further for the sympathy vote when my mum was in hospital many, many years ago. He left an opened, empty tin of beans and a used spoon on the table to show that he could not cook and that he needed looking after.

Rosemary

Originally Posted by lynnxa

lol my hubby does that!


many years ago my mum went in hospital & I took a week off work to go 'home' to look after my brother & my dad.....I was in my early 20's & my brother is 2 years younger........after a few days my brother was going to the hospital complaining that I wasn't doing his washing - I said if it's not in the basket how do I know it needs washing?

my mum told me off!!

Originally Posted by The Oddities

Your girls sound like they are going to be very well rounded adults with the fact that you are 'empowering' them by giving them the correct amount of responsibility.

I love your inability to iron shirts - guess you do not intend to ever remedy that fact either!!!!!

Rosemary

Originally Posted by silverchick

As long as they don't run about after men doing everything for them because the men had never been taught by their mothers!!My first husband literally did not know how to boil an egg!! Still he's had plenty of practice now, he's been on his own for 11 years since we split, no-one else will take him on!!

Originally Posted by lynnxa

I somehow don't think that will happen - to be fair on their dad he does do a good share of the cooking......he makes a dreadful mess though - and it is clearly understood that mummy does nothing before at least 1pm on a Sunday, so cooked breakfast/brunch & everything else is up to him, and quite often he will cook the evening meal on sunday too

I think that my girls are more likely to want a man to run around after them..

Originally Posted by silverchick

You are my heroine, I think when I am living in Spain I shall have to visit you at regular intervals to absorb some of your greatness by osmosis!