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Why did the 10 year old freak out after being told to make her own oatmeal?
Doing my girlfriend a favor today, and I'm babysitting her two children. We all get along great, and I've been in the picture for a little over a year. The 10 year old asked me to make her a bowl of oatmeal this morning because she was still hungry after her cereal. She is normally not allowed to use the stove, but I was busy fixing the kitchen cabinet, so I told her she had permission to make it herself. She said she wasn't allowed, but I told her I was right here, and to go ahead. She then started screaming that she didn't know how. Remaining calm, I said to read the directions on the package. All she had to do was boil 1 cup of water. I then said go ahead, get a pot, and put 1 cup of water in it. She had a complete meltdown. I verbally explained how to turn the stove on (even though she knows) and to wait for the water to boil. I kept an eye on her so she didn't burn herself, but basically ignored her tantrum. The oatmeal turned out just fine. What was the reason for her poor attitude, and was ignoring the tantrum the right thing? I did talk to her after she calmed down, but she is still ticked about making the oatmeal herself.
7 Answers
- 8 years agoFavorite Answer
By ten years of age, she should at least know how to make eggs. I mean, children learn from the ages of 5-6 how to make cereal, and by ten, I knew how to make eggs. Though, it's still alright if she doesn't. All I can say that it was a spoiled tantrum on her part. She is used to her mom making and doing things for her. Though, do not ignore it. She was probably hurt by your "obliviousness" to her feelings. Remember, she's ten and sensitive.
Source(s): Dealing with kids all my life. - 8 years ago
You did the right thing. Even as adults we as humans go have a fear of the unknown. This was a new thing for her and she was most likely afraid she would do something wrong. But you did the right thing by showing her it is ok to try new things. Also let her know it is ok to make mistakes, she is still learning.
My 10 year old makes his own grits in the microwave. Ours has a beverage button, he pushes it once and then start. After it dings he carefully takes the measuring cup with 1 cup of water in it out and pours it slowly into his bowel.
So maybe the microwave would be less frightening for her. And she may well be over protected on stuff like this?
For the future, as she gets to do new things I would give her encouragement and praise when she gets it right.
I would also like to say that I love that you stayed calm.
- Cindy CLv 68 years ago
She didn't want to get in trouble.
And since she's never been allowed to do it herself she's become dependent on others to do things for her.
She is old enough to start doing things on her own, including using the stove with supervision. It is dangerous for her to poor the boiling water into the oatmeal.
As for oatmeal, have her use the microwave next time.
Source(s): I started baking brownies on my own at 8. My 9 yr old is perfectly capable of making food on the stove supervised and some on her own. Like, scrambled eggs. This is because she was allowed in the kitchen when I was cooking from about 3. - ?Lv 68 years ago
10 years old is old enough to learn to do some basic cooking, especially with a microwave. My kids all made simple things at 10 years old and I was right there for guidance.
You made the right decision, she did a fine job and you may want to point that out to her, in the long run she will have gained confidence in her own abilities and a sense of accomplishment for making the oatmeal!
Source(s): Mom of 4 - CarnationLv 78 years ago
If I was too busy and she said she is not allowed to use the stove, I would tell her to have more cereal or some bread and butter. If she was really hungry, she would. I would later speak to her mom about teaching the girl how to make oatmeal.
- HannahLv 78 years ago
She's 10 and she's never been allowed to use the stove before? It sounds like her mother is overprotective and making her too dependent and scared to do things on her own.
