Childhood

[tiggerblue10]

From the age of around 10 and upwards (early '80s) my mum used to force me to do housework and if I didn't I would get a slap across my face. Both my parents worked full time and when I got home from work I had to make my own tea and I used to leave a mess in the kitchen so when she got home she freaked out. On Saturdays she would go shopping and expect me to do all the vacuuming and dusting while she was out. It had to be done by the time she got back otherwise again she would freak. I used to lock myself in the bathroom if I hadn't done it cos I knew what was coming.

All this from the age of 10. Is it considered normal for a 10 year old to do housework? All I wanted to do was watch Tiswas!!! Lol

[cazzz1975]

that doesnt sound normal to me tiggs!

[tiggerblue10]

Oh dear!!!

[dafuzzbuzz13]

Are your children smoking crack?
Harrassing and in trouble all the neighbors and the police?
Drinking,taking drugs and having babys in their teen?

If you answered no to all of them i think you'll find that a smack never did any real harm,if more parentssmacked their kids our society would'nt be in the state its in! And abroad little kids are collecting water,doing house work and working from the ages 6 upwards (not that i agree with the working ) but teaching your kids housework chores is one of the best ways to teach them cleansiness,respect for their surroundings and with a little treat at the end of it will condition them to understand that work=money and hopefully this will keep the away from the get money for nothing mentality.

[sqad617]

tigger.....the bottom line is, has it made you a better person and has it done you any harm.

My guess is that it has enhanced your appreciation of life and no, it hasn't done you any harm.

I have never been a proagonist of the something for nothing society and never will.

[LingShen09]

smack-heads r ugly

[tiggerblue10]

The only thing it has left me with is a loathing for housework.

And no, my house is nothing like those depeicted in "How clean is your house"! Although I hate it I still do it.

[sqad617]

Hear hear dafuzz.

[CrazyCathy]

TiggerBlue - My Nan had to do the same consequently my mum never did much around the house and I never did. Just kept my room tidyish but I'd help her out with the vacuming as she worked but I wasn't forced to.

[gossipgirl]

i had to do chores in order to get pocket money, cruel, i dont think so as i gave me a good work ethic. I have an 8 year old and hes got to do his room twice a week and clear up after himself downstairs, he also puts his own clothes away after ive ironed them. Now that the weathers nice he and his friends are washing the neighbours cars so that they can club together to get materials to build a ramp. More kids should be made to do chores in my opinion as there are plenty [not all] who have the idea that you never have to work because you can claim benefits. Theres nothing better than EARNING your own money.

[sqad617]

gossipgirl....nice philosophy.

Well done.

[cazzz1975]

yes agree gossip, my daughter also helps out her nan (for free) in the garden weeding and tidying up, she keeps her room tidy and helps out with the household chores

[tiggerblue10]

I definitely agree with the work ethic. I started working at 17 and have never claimed benefits. Actually thats a lie cos I did claim Incapacity Beneift for 2 weeks when on long-term sick many years ago.

[sqad617]

One is quick to "slag off" the present time young and it is nice and refreshing to hear the above stoires.

[no-knowledge]

slapping a child's face is never acceptable.
my 10 year old has to make his bed and tidy his room, he will make me a cup of coffee but that is voluntary.
if i ask him to make a coffee he will, there has never been any need to slap him.

think about if you was in a pub and someone slapped you round the face would you say .....sorry what did you want?
or would you want to slap them back?

my father was violent and by the time i was 10 my mother had found the strength to leave him but even at 10 i had it in my mind that once i was big enough i was going to give him a good hiding. ............lucky for him we left!

[CrazyCathy]

But I don't think it is the majority of children that do all the bad stuff - just the media like to hype it up no story in 4 children were helping do this and that.

My kiddies are still very young but I make them put their toys away when they've finished playing and my eldest will put his clothes away when they're ironed (even if I tidy them up abit afterwards) Don't think you can start too young.

Hubby is inclined to be a bit laid back as he had such a miserable childhood and doesn't want the same for ours.

[dafuzzbuzz13]

Cheers sqad,and thats what im saying gossipgirl,tigger have you got kids? If so what do you teach them,or what did you teach them (if they're all grown up now) regaurding doing the housework? Did you do what your parents did to you to them? Oh and just so you know NOBODY LIKES HOUSEWORK, Yeah sometimes you may be in a good mood and it seems less a chore,but theres always something better to do with our time hence the reason why those that can afford hire cleaners,maids etc..

[vulcan]

i agree with gossipgirl, this is how our children were raised. however there is a vast difference between paying a child to do chores and slapping across the face if they didn't,which tiggerblue endured.surely this is child cruelty?.

[tiggerblue10]

The thing is I was never allowed to go out. My dad forbid me to go out with my mates. On one occasion I defied him and went to the cinema with 2 mates to watch Staying Alive. My dad got really angry with me and made me cry. Luckily he didn't hit me but he made me feel guilty for going out. I was 12 at the time.