What chores would you expect from an 18-year-old living at home?

Indie_Kid

pigpen wrote: »

I'd have her do her own laundry.. if it isn't a full load she can add some of yours in too.. and transfer to dryer/hang up and fold to be put away.

When I lived at home, it was normal for me to do my washing and prehaps do someone elses, if they only had one of two bits that needed doing and vice versa.

I would sometimes sort out someone elses damp or dry washing. (just fold it up, put it in the basket and put it in their room, hang it out, bring it in or put it in the tumble dryer)

My dad will wash my waterproof jacket (or did, until I broke it..) but only because I haven't got a clue what I need to do.

Part of a mum's job is to prepare her child for leaving home and that includes being able to cook, do laundry, plan a menu, shop and clean. If she doesn't take on these jobs, even on a rota, she'll be at a disadvantage when she leaves home.

I agree. I live with someone who had never done her own washing until she came to uni - which she was moaning about. I, OTOH, had been doing my own for the last 2 years+.

She was also moaning about the fact we don't have a dishwasher. We have one at home; but I would be expected to do wash my own cups after use.

Whilst I was never asked to do a full shop, I would sometimes get asked to go over the shop and buy a few bits and pieces.

smartpicture

Thank you for all the replies!

She is going to Uni in September, and I have made sure she is capable of doing all these things, so that's not really an issue. She can do the washing, and does occasionally put a load on when she wants something in particular washing. She used to do the ironing for pocket-money before she got a part-time job, and she can cook sufficiently to not starve or burn the house down. If I'm not in for dinner, she will cook for herself, but if I'm there she assumes it's my role to do it.

I do think she'll find it a big shock when she leaves home and has to do all of these things, all of the time, though!

I don't get home until 7ish, I know I'm lucky with the cleaner but it would just be lovely to come home occasionally and not have to start thinking about what we're going to have to eat. And going straight to the kitchen from work - especially as she's always home before me (although possibly doing homework or whatever).

I had to do loads of chores when I was a teenager, and left home at 18 so had to do everything, so I do think she's got it quite easy. But she says it's a different world nowadays and being a teenager is so much more stressful now :rotfl:

SUPER_SAVER_7

I think that she should be helping you out alot more by cooking and doing her washing,etc. I left home at 17 to move in with my OH and I managed to keep up with the chores,bills,cook and clean for the pair of us.

misgrace

pigpen wrote: »

I did all this as well as bathing my 2 younger sisters and most of the house cleaning (vacuuming, pot washing, laundry) from being about 14.

Snap, and me,:D plus go to school, and I worked a few evenings a week when I shouldnt have as was too young but I did, actually it was a case of having too, but thats another story.

I get the impression you are a single parent as you dont mention a partner, if so, then I would expect her to do a fair bit round the house.
I know they say things are different nowadays, its not easy being a teenager etc, but it was a lot harder in my day lol, ( christ I'm starting to sound like my mum) :eek: but now most homes have a dishwasher (I dont) hoovers, tumble driers, steam generators, food mixers, bread makers and loads of other labour and time saving items which makes life so much easier.


teetersonheels wrote <<<< He's wanting to join the forces when he leaves school >>>>>

My son joined and its the best thing that ever happend to him in the sense that there is nothing he cant do around the house.
he did try and help when he was at home, but tbh it was very half hearted, but since he's been in the Army, he can cook, iron, clean, everything is so neat and tidy.
When he used to come home on leave before he married, I would come home from work and all the cleaning and ironing would be done and he would have had the dinner started

ninky_2

i didn't do any chores when i was a teenager apart from a bit of washing up. . my dad used to cook a lot of the time and probably did about the same amount of housework as my mum (i.e. not a lot). i was at school in the day and studying in the evening.

we didn't have a cleaner but my parents are completely messy so i don't think it would have been fair to make me tackle the how-clean-is-your-house style chaos. my room was tidy and i painted and decorated it myself when i was about 16 - it hasn't been touched since and i'm now in my late 30s (moved out when I finished a levels). my room was the only place i could find to get away from the mess!

it sounds like she already does the odd bit of cooking etc. is it just you and her in the house? if not, what are the other household members doing?

amy_lou_4

It would be really good if you can get her cooking healthy, balanced meals for the family- I did this during sixth form and it got me into the pattern of cooking like my mum does ie some protein, starch, veg or salad in every evening meal, unlike my housemates who didn't "know how" to cook and ended up just having pizza or very un-MSE ready meals all the time. I miss my veggies if I don't have some on the side!

xmaslolly76

I have mentioned on here before that my parents did everything for me and i never had to lift a finger they did me no favours what so ever. When i left home i was completely lost and didnt know a thing. I could burn water in an automatic kettle i was that useless.

I dont think asking her to cook a meal once or twice is unreasonable at all my 11 year old can cook a meal and often asks if she can ( obviously with me keeping an eye on her).

I think the suggestion above was a good one let her do it once a week to start with her choosing the night. Certain things only take 10-20 mins to prepare and cook so it doesnt have to be some great big fancy meal.

Hope you get it sorted :-)

littlerat

One thing I've never gotten is this doing her own laundry - if say 3 loads a week need doing for your household, can't she do, regardless of whose clothes it actually is? That's how we work it.

Ideally I'd say she should be cooking once or twice a week, not sure what type of meals you have, but perhaps one quick and easy sort of meal, and one more substantial meal.

Maybe she could stick the hoover around too.

Hard to say exactly, I mean A-levels could be 5 days a week all day at college/6th form, and her part time job could be 8 hours on a saturday, so she only effectively has 1 day a week off, could be just the 20 or so hours a week at college and 4 hours of part time work.

robpw2

i wouldnt expect any they are 18 and they will let you down and youll end up doing it yourself
however i would hope they do help out

Indie_Kid

xmaslolly76 wrote: »

I dont think asking her to cook a meal once or twice is unreasonable at all.

Me neither. Just before I left for uni, my dad suggested that when I come home, I cook for them. (how serious he was, I don't know!)