Teenagers and the Dishwasher – Why is it so hard? | #parenting #teens
Oh the joys of parenting teenagers.
Kylie has a lot going for her. She’s compassionate, talented, beautiful, stylish, fun-loving, witty, and great at making really dumb faces.
Pretty much everything you’d want in a teenage daughter, right? That is.. until it comes time for chores! I know, I know. She’s a teen, and they’re all a little lacking in that department.
She’s probably going to read this post and say, “MOM you’re ruining my life!!” (Come to think about it, my mom will probably read this post and say, “LISA, I can’t believe you posted that!” – Hi mom.)
Aside from cleaning her room and her bathroom, her number one main chore is to clean the kitchen after dinner. The boys are in charge of unloading the dishwasher and putting things away, and she loads it. She’s also supposed to sweep and wipe things down (but that doesn’t always happen either). For carpets, we put that in the hands of newport coast carpet cleaners.
This morning, the boys went to unload the dishwasher for me while waiting on breakfast, and we noticed that it hadn’t been started from last night. I opened it thinking there just weren’t enough dishes to start the load, but then I looked around the kitchen and saw several plates and cups that never made it in…. and this is why:
Now I know that depending on the dishes used, dishwashers aren’t always neat and tidy when they’re loaded. Sometimes, you just stick things where they fit. But, she’s been loading the dishwasher since she was about 8 years old. That’s as long as Hawk (our 6 year old) has been a part of our family. You would think she’d know how to load a dishwasher a little better than this by now!
Like the nice mom I am (ha…), I decided to reload it and start it myself (taking out the Duck Dynasty plates that are too tall for the top rack, and the rectangle lock n’ lock) so that she doesn’t have to do it when she gets in from the football game tonight. However, she will be getting a lesson in loading the dishwasher as WELL as hand washing (which she thinks is absolutely absurd!).
My question to you is… what chores do your children have at what ages, and do you think it’s crazy of me to think that my 14 year old daughter is capable of actually loading a dishwasher and cleaning the kitchen efficiently? If needed, there are professional cleaning services such as Cleaning Services Wayland MA to lighten the load and maintain a balanced approach to chores.
My kids have been loading dishwashers since they were about 7, and doing it correctly. However, besides cleaning their room is pretty much the only chore they really have.
I have an only child, a son who is almost 11, and we made a huge mistake with him by doing a lot of things for him when he was a toddler/pre-school age. Because, honestly, it was just quicker and easier for me to do it. If I had more than one child, I’m sure I would have been different. Anyway, over the last year or so, we have been working hard to fix our erroneous ways. 🙂 Now my 10 year old loads the dishwasher and wipes off the counters. He uses the swifter on the kitchen floors and vacuums his bedroom, and playroom floors. I’m working on his bathroom, though. I just feel like he can’t clean a bathroom the way it needs to be cleaned… yet. 🙂
I’m too picky to let my son load the dishwasher. I won’t even let my husband load it. lol My 12 year old has the chores of sweeping, cleaning his room, unloading the dishwasher, maintaining his bathroom and putting laundry away.
My 12 and 14 year old sons alternate between dishes & counters and sweeping, mopping, & trash. I only ask them to mop the kitchen twice a week (once each). Sometimes they do their chores correctly. I feel that my children need to be capable of adequately running a household of one once they leave my home. I also feel that it is the duty of every household member to help out according to ability. My 17 year old daughter is asked to do less than her brothers because she has a job. She still must help just a little less. The bathroom she shares with her brothers is her responsibility. I try, not always successfully, to find a balance between teaching responsibility and showing grace.
Looks about right >,<
I was in charge of both loading and unloading the dishwasher at age 14.
I’m of the opinion that she should be given the freedom to load it however she wants. However, she will be responsible for hand washing anything that doesn’t come out clean so efficient loading is in her best interest. I’d just start with telling her that and then tell her you’re available to give efficient loading tips if she’s interested.
My oldest is 20 and from the age of ten until he left for college dishes, garbage and sweeping the downstairs were his chores. I had to fight, argue and complain to get him to do it sometimes and sometimes our dishwasher did not get started either or liked like your pics.
This post has made me realize that some of my younger ones need to be doing more. Time to re-evaluate our chore handling.
I think she’s old enough to load a dishwasher well. That being said I am often switching around how my husband loads it (I’m kind of OCD when it comes to cleaning). For some people things like that don’t always click. Maybe she’ll do better after you’ve talked her though it.
My kids are 4 and 1 right now so they don’t have chores yet. I have been thinking about doing a chore chart for my 4 year old now though.
I have to start and stick to a chore routine. I would say 14 is old enough to do just about any chore!