Would You Let An 8Yr Old Child Do Ironing?

[losgigs]

Bought a nice new iron today (Morphy Richards) and was quite surprised to read in their safety instructions that 'This appliance can be used by children aged from 8 years and above if they have been given experience or instruction concerning use of the appliance in a safe way and understand the hazards involved'. I think this is a tad on the young side for a child to start ironing - maybe 11 or 12? What do others think?

[lady-janine]

yes I would under supervision. I started before that age. no problem is shown how to use it safely and then supervised as i said.

[ummmm]

I was ironing at that age.

[Butterbun]

I agree that age 8 is far too young to use such an item. The parent will have to use common sense when teaching children to use any household item, eg a kettle or an iron.

[Mamyalynne]

Depends on the child and how confident you are that they are sensible and ready to use it.

[anneasquith]

only under supervision and if the child was female :)

[mccfluff]

i'm pretty sure i was ironing by then, certainly by 10. i remember i used to get 20p per shirt & i used to save up for holiday money

[Georgiesmum]

Personally im really shocked. I think eleven or twelve is plenty early enough myself. Let children be children!

[Old_Geezer]

It depends. Do you own a foreign sweatshop creating clothes for today's western fashion industry ?

[lady-janine]

20p a shirt. riches. wish I got that now.

[losgigs]

Anne, really! Thought there would be a split of opinion. Trying to remember when I let my sons start and when I started doing it. I agree that if the child is responsible and carefully supervised that some 8 year olds might be ok.

[2sp_]

I don't own an iron so it's not really an issue for me. ;-)

Personally I think ironing is quite an advanced chore for a child of 8. I agree that they should learn basics at that age - tidying, wiping surfaces, putting away clothes, even hoovering.

[Baldric]

No chance, an 8 year old could never achieve my standard for a Shirt!

[corylus]

As I remember from my lads, Scouts are/were expected to be able to iron their own uniforms. I taught my lads to do this properly and they still can iron their own clothes/shirts although they no longer live at home, BUT, they can't do speed ironing like me! (Nor do they still wear Scout Uniforms)

Think 8 might be a bit young though unless it's in a Sweat Shop.

[maggiebee]

Why only if a female Anne? My son (a lot older than 8 mind you) does his whole family's ironing. He learned at an early age and makes a better job than my daughter-in-law. My grandson also takes care of his cadet uniform - won't let his mum touch it.

[RandyMarsh]

no, they should be coloring or skipping or kicking a ball.

[B00]

Yes

[2sp_]

I suppose by 8 they're getting too big to shove up chimneys.

[2sp_]

(That was a joke, by the way.)

[-Talbot-]

I think this is a tad on the young side for a child to start ironing - maybe 11 or 12? What do others think?


My daughter is 20 and doesn't use one.