In your opinion, is an 8 year old too young to be responsible for loading and unloading the dishwasher?

Question

Sometimes I'm confident in having the twins do it but other times I feel like maybe I'm asking too much of them.

They also do other chores. I'm not sure how much is asking too much, though.

I'm really just looking for opinions and how it works in other families.

Answer 1

It depends on how breakable your dishes are lol. If you have something virtually unbreakable like Corelle then they can definitely do it. If not, then you could still let them but under close supervision. You would also probably need a step stool so they could reach to put things away but in general I think dishes are a great chore for an 8 year old. =]

And to the person who said the child should be older so they do not have to use a step stool to put the dishes away... I'm only 5'1" and I still have to use a step stool to reach the top shelves! lol I guess I don't have to do any more dishes. WOOO!!!

Answer 2

8 years old is too young - the child should be able to reach (at least) most of the shelves/ cabinets and not have to use a step stool to put the dishes back. They should be able to do a lot of it, but some one bigger (parent, sibling) should be around to help with the big/sharp/awkward stuff.

8 year olds can empty trash and put in new trash can liners in the waste baskets, change sheets (may need a bit of help getting the sheets/blankets straight - but does EVERYTHING have to be perfect?) they can sweep a floor and (depending on the size of it) use a vacuum.  They are also usually good at cleaning windows and dusting as long as they understand (and can be proud of) NOT leaving streaks on the window and not breaking things that they dust.  (Again - big things or things that are high up need to be handled by bigger people, but there's alot that they can handle as well).

8 year olds are also at a good age to start helping make meals.  Nothing fancy, and with supervision - but there are a lot of kid-friendly-preperation meals that the whole family can enjoy (and think of the pride your kids will have when they get to make dinner once a week?)

An 8 year old is able to gather up dirty clothes and HELP folding clothes/putting them away.

Personally, I don't think you should overload your kids with chores, but it's good for them to learn how to take care of the house,etc..  I don't think that chores should be tied to allowances either and for heaven's sake (speaking from my experience - not saying that you'd do this but I need to get it off my chest!!) PLEASE DO NOT FRUSTRATE YOUR CHILD by imposing "perfectionist standards" on everything they do & touch.  If they are handling the dishes, expect things to break.  If they are taking out the trash - it may get dumped onto the driveway when the trash can takes on a life of it's own.  If htey don't sweep or vacuum a corner - don't make them re-do it on the spot - gently point it out and ask them to get it the next time they do it.  If the clothes/towels aren't folded the way that you want them to be - at least they are folded (and if it's a real problem - just re-fold your own clothes).

Good Luck and enjoy spending time with your kids teaching them the lifeskills they will need later on!

Answer 3

I think it is probably fine, as long as your cupboards are not too high, and as long as (if they are clumsy) they are not unloading sharp knives. The kids at my house always unload/reload also.

Answer 4

8 year olds are plenty old enough to do most of the dishwasher themselves. They can handle the silverware and anything in shelves/racks at their level. All glasses and plates that would require them climbing should be left stacked together on the counter for mom or dad to put away.

Glad to see youngsters with chores!

Answer 5

8 year olds are old enough to handle the dishwasher along with other chores.  My kids know that after dinner, it is their job to put their dishes in the dishwasher.  My oldest knows it is her job to empty it and put everything away (expect the pots and pans, they go in a cabinet over the stove and I'm not ready for that).  Both my kids have to clean their own room and any toys/items they bring into the living room has to be put back when they're done playing with it.  (They know if I see it laying in the living room floor and they're not playing with it, I take it and they have to pay me to get it back).  

Stormy - I didn't have kids to have servants either but I am going to teach them to clean up after themselves and to help keep the house clean.  They are only kids once, but they will grow up and they will need to know how to clean.  And I don't want to be cleaning up after my grown children.

Answer 6

I think they are definitely not too young to load or unload the dishwasher. As long as they are not doing an overwhelming amount of chores, then they will be fine. It is good for them to learn the meaning of a little bit of responsible work. Not to mention the help it would give you. Good luck from a mom of five  

Answer 7

No.  They might need help putting things away that belong in higher cabinets, but there is no reason they can't be responsible for dishwasher duties.

Answer 8

hah yeah it's fine.

when i don't feel like doing it i tell my 8 yr old nephew to do it.

he does it fine.

Answer 9

While I don't think that 8 years is too young to unload and load a dishwasher on occasion I don't think kids should be forced to do chores.  I figure if parent's need a housekeeper they should hire a maid service.  I think children should be children, no it doesn't hurt to teach them how to do a few things around the house but they shouldn't be expected to do them on a regular basis.  I guess I feel that I didn't give birth to my children in order to have servants.  

Answer 10

i nanny for a family whose son is 9 and he has been unloading and loading the dishwasher for a couple years.  I think it is a good thing for them.

Answer 11

No its not too young.  My parents always made me do c**p around the house around that age.  However, they never made my younger sister do anything, because I was already doing it.  Now all she does all day is watch TV and scream and cry when my parents ask her to do anything.  She's 16 years old.  If you have other younger kids, make sure they get the chores your 8 yr old will get when they are 8.

Answer 12

8 Years Old is plently old enough to handle the loading/unloading of the dishwasher.  

Answer 13

I would let them handle everything but sharp knives. Otherwise, there isn't any chore in the house that they can't do. At that age, my son was loading and unloading the washer, dryer, helping fold clothes, doing dishes by hand, vacuuming, dusting, etc. (Not alone, mind you, we were working together)

Answer 14

has a 9 yr old and an 8 year old who do laundry  you are not asking to much

Answer 15

I think that is a great chore for them to be doing, as long as they understand to be careful with glass etc.

Answer 16

My son will be 8 in 2 months and he does it.  The only one's he doesn't put away are my glasses and the heavy plates he stacks them on teh table and i put them away

He also helps load the dishwasher.

Answer 17

Eight is plenty old enough!

I always tell my kids that a hundred years ago they would have been helping to milk cows and sow the field before they were old enough to go to kindergarten!

Chores are great for kids even though they usually don't appreciate them so much.  It helps to build their sense of responsibility and independence.  Be sure to praise them when they do a good job, and especially when they do it without your asking them.  Remind them that they're helping out the family.