So my mother thinks I am crazy because I get up on the weekends with them (no matter how early) and get their breakfast for them. She thinks they are old enough to get their own cereal and turn on some cartoons.

I think they are too young to be eating unsupervised, and I think it is part of my "job" as a mother to get up and feed my children.

What do you think? Do any of you let your 6 yos get their own breakfast while you are still in bed?

Dawn

Mom to Samantha, Jeremy, Paige and Christian

Born 12/12/03 @ 31w 2d



http://lovinglifewithquads.blogspot.com

I've never thought about it because I've never experienced this scenario. LOL!

The girls always come flying into our room on the weekends and I'm always up before they are during the week.

I get what you're saying. I would want to be in charge out in the kitchen, if anything to keep some order and make sure milk isn't spilling all over the place. I'm not sure I could even still enjoy sleeping knowing they were in the kitchen wreaking havoc.

But, then again, I'm still wiping their bottoms, so I might be the wrong person to ask! LOL!

Lisa

My girls "just" started doing that in the last year. They are 7.5. My oldest didn't start doing it until the girls did, and he's 22 months older than them. But one of my girls is a bit impatient and resourceful and if she wants to do something, she just does. It went well, so we discussed the rules and they are usually fine.

They first need to be able to handle a full gallon of milk, otherwise if think about starting them being independent, I would pour some into a smaller container.

We have rules like "You take it; you eat it." Any fights and the privilege is revoked. It used to be cold cereal only. NO toast etc. Lately, they have able to make their own instant oatmeal, but ONLY because I have an instant hot water dispenser. We've made sure they know how to act around it before letting them do it when we are not around. That said, this only started in the last couple of months, so they were WELL over 7.

Recently, they started making toast. Again, Little Miss Resourceful appeared at the side of my bed with cinnamon toast and my coffee. We never taught her how to fix the coffee, but she did it right. We drink from commuter mugs so it's pretty safe, once you get past the whole hot glass carafe thing

After she surprised us with breakfast in bed, we talked about the rules again. They are doing nicely. But a year before that, NO WAY would they do those things. But they were doing cold cereal.

It's not without its problems, though. This AM I was awakened to a girl telling me about a flood on the kitchen floor. I had left a cooler on the counter, soaking with baking soda, water, and smidge of soap. Again, Little Miss Independent wanted to make toast and decided to move the cooler. Grabbed the handle, not knowing it was 1/2 full of water and spilled all over. REally yucky because the floor was REALLY in need of some vacuuming. She didn't get toast this AM.

MonsterMom6
10 year old ^b^ b twins @ 30w5d (1 survivor) and
8 year old gggg quads @ 32w0d

Drinking my coffee and just finished 2 toaster waffles while leisurely reading forums on a Saturday AM. Coffee and waffles lovingly (and today cooperatively) prepared by 2 of my girls.

MonsterMom6
10 year old ^b^ b twins @ 30w5d (1 survivor) and
8 year old gggg quads @ 32w0d

I have never let them do this while I am still in bed but they do make their own breakfast if my hands are full. They can pour their own cereal, cook their own waffles in the toaster, and even use the microwave to make their own pancakes!
They even pack their own lunches. I do make the sandwiches though, they pick their snacks and drink and pack their bags. It's great!

Gina mom to BBG born 2-4-03 at 37 weeks
and suprprise baby boy 11-21-07

Mine get their own cereal and have for quite some time. Even my 6 yo dd does. Be prepared for a bit of a mess though. They'll spill stuff and won't put anything away.

Kim
Nate, Nick & Noel(36w4d)and Nia.

<a href="http://www.tickercentral.com"><img border="0" src=""></a>


http://www.tickercentral.com>

If I let my kids get their own breakfast they would be eating chocolate and cookies and possibly potato chips for breakfast.!

So..no, I make sure an adult feeds them

http://www.brianandcharlie.com/blog
^Alexandra^, Brian, Charlie 07/28/2003
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We don't eat cereal. I don't even buy it. I am up every day between 5 and 5:30. I just naturally wake up at that time. I cannot even imagine a scenario where anyone would be awake before me. I am up before the newspaper delivery guy! LOL!

Michele
Sarah, Gregory, Amanda
born 1/22/04 at 35w1d

Our surprise baby Austin born 06/15/2005

www.fourtimesthefun.blogspot.com

When my kids were that age, I allowed them to eat cereal without my supervision a few times. It just made too big of a mess for me, and so I didn't allow it anymore. Instead, I just told my girls to let me sleep until at least 7:00 a.m. before coming into our bedroom "demanding" breakfast, lol. They were usually pretty good about watching tv until then. Also, my dds prefer breakfast that's cooked to cereal, so they wouldn't have been satified with eating cereal anyway. For the past couple of years, I've allowed them to eat cereal, yogurt, or fruit if they don't want to wait for me to make breakfast, sometimes toast. I supervise them when they make eggs.

Gloria - Mom to five girls: ages 11, 10, and 8/8/8

When my kids were that age, they began getting their own cereal and letting mom sleep a bit on Saturdays. But often times my older son was up and helped them out if they needed it. He was always an early riser - still is.

I don't think 6 is too young at all, just set all the parameters beforehand. I think I would pour them each a cup of milk and leave it in the fridge with a lid - they just need to stick a straw through it, and keep a much more child friendly container of milk for them to pour for their cereal.
But even if you are still in bed, I doubt you'll stay asleep because of the noise factor three kids in the kitchen can make.

Even now though at 11, cooking anything, even in the microwave, is off limits unless an adult is accessible.


http://teensandtriplets.blogspot.com/

Wiltrip Mom with 5
2 teens & BBG - school age and easier than the teens!

"When they're little, they're on your toes. When they're grown, they're on your heart" ...Virginia Robe

Mine are much younger...but we keep cereal and bowls in a low cabinet and they often help themselves. They do pretty good with pouring cereal, but they eat it without milk...while watching morning cartoons. They leave boxes around the kitchen When I get up they have waffles, pancakes, or eggs--that I make. My guess is by 6 they'll be pouring their own milk!

GGG born 9/3/05 at 35w3d

I have finally trained my children to go in the living room or toy room on their own and play or watch TV on weekends while I sleep in. It was a huge accomplishment to get them to not come straight to me when they get up at the crack of dawn. (By sleeping in, I mean until 7:30 or so!) They usually wait for me to have breakfast just because they aren't hungry, but I would have no problem with them making something injury proof on their own. I think you just have to have rules and let them know ahead what is allowed and what isn't. You have to let them try it on their own or they will never grow up. I think by 6 1/2, they should be able to get something simple, maybe some yogurt or fruit at least. While it's your "job" to make them breakfast, it's also your "job" to make sure they know how to take care of themselves as they get older. You'd be surprised at what kids can do on their own if you just let them try.

Tracy
Mommy to Lindsey, Patrick and Brooke
Born 1-14-03 at 32weeks, 3 days and ^i^ twins Dylan 1-12-02 and Cole 1-21-02

Mine are a bit older, born Aug 2003. The other day we went out to get them b'fast and DD was on a chair getting the cereal out herself.
My dad always said it was a milestone when the kids could get breakfast for themselves. I think we are about there. Though I am still training them to put the milk away when they are done.

Andi
g/b/g
triplets

DAWN!!! Girl, I miss you so much down here! When are you coming back for a visit????

My kids are 8 (turning 9 next month) and I'm just now beginning to encourage them to get their own breakfast on weekends I am not working. I am a night owl, and I HATE getting up early. But I have until this year so that they can have breakfast. Now, they'll get themselves cereal sometimes, but sometimes they hold out for good stuff (omelets, sausage, bacon, one of my special pancake recipes, etc.) until I get up.

Honestly, I could have had them getting their own breakfast sooner, even when they were 6 years old, but I just haven't until now. So, I say give it a try. If they're strong enough to pick up and pour the milk without spilling it all, they should be able to do it. Or, you can get a smaller container, put some milk in that, and have them use that instead. Have some test runs while you're awake to see if they can handle it.

Julie
single mom and BRAND NEW NURSE!

Stosh Alon (B)
Noach Ari (B)
Rivkah Ivanova (G)
Nuriel Alexander (B)

JULIE!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been thinking of you a lot lately. I am afraid I wont be back down there for a while., summer is coming and that means family visits here in NH. IF you ever want a little vacation, though, give me a call. Place on the lake in the summer!!! Lots of fun

You are right, I probably should start letting them, but at this point, I think they would kill each other. LOL I have decided that I will let them, sometimes, but with supervision at first. That way if I see a disaster waiting to happen, I can stop it. I have let them make thier own toast (with me standing right there) and they are good at that!

I cannot believe your babies are going to be 9 next month. Where does the time go????? BTW, Paige and Jeremy have glasses now. Check out pictures of them on FB, under the random photos.

Dawn

Mom to Samantha, Jeremy, Paige and Christian

Born 12/12/03 @ 31w 2d



http://lovinglifewithquads.blogspot.com