In a post to the website’s AIBU (Am I Being Unreasonable?) forum, user SteveHarringtonsChestHair explained that her daughter was “outraged” that she hadn’t prepared lunch before going out.
She wrote: “Went on a lunch date today. [Children] are all older teens. [Daughter] (15) is outraged that I didn’t sort out something for her to eat when I got home at 2.30pm.
“I told her there is bread for toast, wraps, crumpets, leftover chicken in the fridge, noodles/pasta etc and that she can make herself something. She thinks it is selfish of me to feed myself and not her.”
‘Lack of basic domestic skills’
A 2019 study explored mothers’ feelings around teaching children to cook, and how the learning experience might impact their future diet. Surveying 141 mothers from the U.K., researchers found that fewer moms were teaching their children to cook than in the past, leading to a skills gap.
The reasons mothers cited for not involving their children in meal prep included fear of their making a mess, eating the ingredients, getting in the way and distracting mothers from their own cooking. Researchers expressed concern that this could lead to a lack of basic domestic skills and poor nutrition as adults.
Healthy Happy Mama, a parenting site founded by mommy blogger Maryea Flatherty, created a chart to help moms assign age-appropriate chores to children. Based on the Montessori method, the chart suggests that children over 12 are capable of cooking “a complete family meal.”
‘Lazy’
Mumsnet users felt the teen should be making her own meals; 2pinkginsplease suggested the daughter “get a grip,” adding: “Mine have been making their own lunches since they were 12/13.”
Cigarettesaftersex1 agreed, commenting: “Lazy mare can make her own lunch.”
However, Justmuddlingalong wondered whether the teen had been spoiled. “Has she been pandered to up to the age of 15 and that’s why sorting herself out has come as a shock?” they asked.
123becauseicouldntthinkofone warned the mother to “nip that attitude in the bud.”
In the comments, the mom explained the situation in more detail.
She wrote: “I went out to feed myself, leaving her with only the rudimentary components to make what equates to a boring and unfulfilling meal, I have left her to fend for herself.
“[Son] (17) has also made himself something and not offered her anything. She thinks it’s similar to me making myself lunch and eating it in front of her and then telling her to make her own.”
However, the story has a happy ending, with the mom writing: “She’s hilarious, and not even lazy really, she’s brilliant.
“For those saying she’s a brat, she 100% isn’t. She had a bratty moment—but is generally a super helpful and sweet girl, who enjoys helping.
“[She] just has no confidence in the kitchen, and I know pandering to her hasn’t helped that. Maybe [we] need to do some cooking together.”
SteveHarringtonsChestHair isn’t the only parent to struggle with terrible teenage behavior. One mom’s “petty” attempt to teach her 17-year-old daughter to do laundry divided Reddit users, while another’s trick for getting her 16-year-old to clean her room with rice was dubbed “genius” yet “devious.”
