At What Age Should a Child Make Their Own Breakfast?

My 2yo can almost make his own breakfast: yogurt with jam and granola. He can pour himself water and get out simple snacks. If he's hungry, I usually let him help himself. He's going to Montessori next year where they encourage this as well.

My mom left me and my brother alone when I was around 6. I was an expert at toaster strudels, pop tarts and cereal

I was able to make myself a bowel of cereal at 4. I would climb on top of the counters and get everything myself. Everything else i could make before i was 9. Eggs, pancakes, bacon stuff like that. I was the only child and was extremely independent at a young age.

Yes definitely. Nothing stove top but toaster and cereal for sure. My sister is 11 and loves doing it she feels so grown up. The only thing that took a while for my mom to let me do was make bacon because the grease splatters. I must've been like 13 before I could do that lol. But she was right. Even as an adult I get burnt almost every time!

I'm a sahm- dd makes her own because it teaches self sufficiency- I'm a sahm - not an enabler for kids who can't do anything for themselves

I didn't start making my own breakfast until my mom started working again. I was 12. I think if they want to great but if your a sahm most of the time you should make it. I would kill to have to make my son breakfast instead of having someone else feed him because I have to work.

My 11 yr old DD is responsible for her own breakfast- she's capable- has been since she was 9

At ten, my mom had me start dinner for the family before she got home from work... Wash/chop the veggies, cut up and season the meat, etc.

Once I complained, and she told me that at ten, she had to take the chicken to get its head chopped off and then pluck it. (I checked with my grandma, this is true.)

My almost two year old helps me crack her breakfast egg and beats it very neatly, though not very well yet. I will teach her how to cook early, I think. I don't plan on babying my kid. :)

I think ten is plenty old to use a toaster or pour milk into a bowl. If he doesn't make enough, a normal kid is old enough to notice if he's still hungry and do something about it.

Besides the basics of cereal, toast, or oatmeal in the microwave my 7 yr old son makes his own eggs on the stove (because he wants to). It started about a year ago when his sister (who was about his age now) wanted to make eggs so I taught her and supervised her in the kitchen initially. He naturally wanted to do what big sis was doing too so he learned right along side her. Now I don't have any worries about either of them using the stove of course they're only allowed to do it when a parent or their teenage siblings are home.

My son is 12 and has been making his own breakfast since he was 8 or so.

A bowl of cereal isn't that hard.

Does your husband want him living in your basement when he's 25?? Get that kid making his own breakfast!!

I had to pack my own lunch and make my own breakky at 5 and make my mum a tea but she was a b**** and didn't care about me. I think 10 is a great age to start doing stuff on your own.

I'm shocked by 5 and 6 year olds making their own breakfasts. My 5 and 7 year olds could never be trusted in the kitchen, there would be Cheerios spilled all over the floor and milk would get spilled too I'm sure. Also I would never let them use a toaster oven at this age, it's too hot and too potentially dangerous.

My step brother, whose 11, is able to make his own breakfast. We don't let him use the microwave or stove without supervision so it limits what he can make. Most of the time he would rather have cereal than anything else, because he's a milk addict lol

I'd say around 9. Maybe a little earlier with simple things like cereal.

My daughter is 4 and I encourage her to make her own bowl of cereal. So yeah I think 10 is a perfectly acceptable age to make his own breakfast and you know what if he does not eat enough or choose not to eat or even fails to leave himself enough time to eat he will only do it once. He will learn and if you don't teach him now he will never learn.

I started at 5. I was completely taking care of my sister and making all of our meals by 12.

I'll always cook for my kids, but in think they should definitely help or make their own on weekends. I'd say 10 is old enough.

My kids are 5&6 and can get their own breakfast! I buy half gallons so its easier to handle and they LOVE the independence!

My nephew is 8 and is perfectly capable of feeding himself. He gets his own cereal and can use the microwave which he does quite often Lol. He knows how to throw chicken nuggets and pizza rolls and such on a plate and how long to cook them til they are done.

As soon as they can reach the cereal, milk, and bowls, and as soon as they can pour milk without spilling everywhere! I know some teens that still don't make their own breakfasts!

My friends 7 year old made him and his parents burgers the other night. I think a 10 year old can heat up something precooked

My kids have been making their own breakfast on school days since at least 8. I'll make big breakfasts on the weekend to change up what they eat, but yeah. They have their own morning list of chores to complete at that age. My belief is you know how long you have to accomplish everything. If you don't complete it in time it's your bad not mine. (We practiced before making this the rule.) no child will starve with this theory...they just learn for next time to plan accordingly :)

At 10 he can handle that. My ds is 7 & gets himself cereal, or makes himself a pb&j in the mornings.

My son was making eggs and pancakes on the stove by 11. I see no reason a 10 yr old couldn't use something as simple as a toaster or microwave.

I'm on bed rest and my 11 year old daughter makes breakfast for her 5 year old brother and 8 year old sister... And if I let her she would even make them lunch. I think they are capable at that age.

My kids are 3 and 4 and get their own breakfast. They've been doing it for about a year. It's just cereal, but they like the independence it gives them. By 10 they will be making their own waffles! I agree with you! He's old enough to make his own food.

But I don't think 10 is unreasonable. Really all depends on the kid though. My little brother is 11 and tries to make his own. He leaves the kitchen a wreck.

Well I guess I'm the only spoiled brat. I very rarely had to make my own breakfast. I went to my aunts house in the morning before school and she'd make us all whatever we wanted. I could call her up today at 22 and she'd happily cook me breakfast.

My 6 year old makes himself breakfast and his school lunch by himself. No way in hell am I raising my son to be dependent on me until he's 36 or married, whatever comes first.

Honestly, my now 10 year old has been getting her own breakfast for years. When DS (11 months) was a newborn she even liked to make me breakfast to give me a break, lol. I think it's good for children to have age appropriate independence.

And I am not "rushing" her to grow up too fast but she's an independent child who enjoys being given responsibility.

I have a 7 yr old and a 10 yr old who make their own breakfast everyday. They know when they're full. I think he's perfectly capable!

I think like 14, but as the mom I feel like I will always make their breakfast unless they wan cereal or something. Or unless we're cooking together. I'm not sure why everyone rushes their kids to grow up so fast. I guess I'm just old fashioned with some things.

I think 10 is more then old enough.

My 9&7 year old will make breakfast of waffles or cereal oatmeal. They even make their own lunches on the weekend if I haven't planned something formal.

The only reason they don't do it every day is because I'll be up already and make them eggs and cheese toast.

The only thing they can't use is the stove/oven without me right next to them.

As far as getting enough, I want them to decide how much is enough for them and learn portion control now because I'm not going to be around forever to tell them too much/not enough.

I agree with you. I was 4 and I could pour my own cereal and make my own instant oatmeal or grits. Or pop a frozen pancake in the microwave or a toaster strudel in the toaster. My grandma taught me how to cook eggs and pancakes from scratch when I was in kindergarten (:

At around 6-7 we started leaving cereal, milk in a little jug and a bowl etc ready for sd to use. She would get up, eat and watch cartoons for awhile...

I totally agree. My little brother is 11 and my mom still picks out his clothes and brings him food, it's ridiculous. He's helpless and it makes me wanna smack him lol

By age 10 he should def be able to make himself breakfast. My daughter was putting her own breafast by age 5 (fruit, juice, cereal and milk). She's almost 7 and she knows how to use the microwave and toaster. By next year I'm going to start showing her how use stovetop (always under supervision).

My 8.5 yo dd makes microwavable items like pancakes, easy mac or heats leftovers. She knows what should not go in like metal, she knows to use small increments of time and check temp. Shes been doing so about a year. When she first asked I was a little freaked but she showed me she knows so we went over some ground rules. She is very responsible and mature. Having a mom who is sick and confined to bed alot unfortunately pished her to mature a little faster but the kids like to do some things on their own. My 5 yo is not allowed to use the microwave but can get herself a yogurt, piece of fruit or cereal.

My 5 year old has been making her own cereal since she was 4 after helping her pour milk 2-3 times I let her go on her own. 10 he is def old enough I was making my family dinner by age nine its all about how responsible you feel your child is. I try not to baby my kids and let them make discoveries (not mistakes) they feel independent and when they need me they ask they have become very responsible they are 5 and 2 almost 6&3

Star...buy bag of pre made frozen pancakes....stick in microwave ;)

I think 10 is plenty old enough.

But tell me about these microwave pancakes?? Have I been using the stove for no reason this whole time??

All my kids make their own breakfast. Yay:-)! But uh..they are 9, 12, and 14 lol. So yeah, your son is definitely old enough. Your husband needs to let him become and independent young man. Doesn't he want him to be able to fend for himself? Good on you momma:-)!

Lol my 5 year old gets her own cereal.. She would freak if I helped her!

Thanks Squishy that's all I was asking! If its just cereal for everyone then he is totally capable of pouring his own. I totally agree with that. I really wasn't trying to be rude. Our mornings start early and I only have one in school but I imagine with several in school, it can get a bit crazy.

My son has been capable of making his own breakfast since he was four. He would sometimes wake up before me and not wake me and he would eat whatever was in the fridge. Then he learned how to make himself pb&j sandwiches and he could serve himself cereal. He even knows how to re heat pizza in the toaster oven lol

I was like 5 when I would make myself cereal for breakfast

Gina....I don't cook breakfast during the week (and rarely do on weekends). They have school during the week, and I'm not getting up at 6 am to cook. They eat cereal, microwave oatmeal or some sort of frozen breakfast food...all things he is capable of doing himself IMO.

I think they need to learn you are not their slave.

I was about 7 or 8. My parents worked early so my older brother and I were in charge of feeding ourselves and getting to the bus on time. Granted it was cereal or pop tarts. Nothing fancy.

I had this same problem with my DH. I dont want to wake up for no reason but to cook. They are 10 and 12. When I was their age I had cereal yogurt toast etc. Pancakes and waffles were weekend food.

Lost that battle. Still wake up to make hashbrowns, bacon, sausage, eggs, french toast etc. Thats the usual anyway... I hate doing it. Maybe if they werent so picky and all ate the same thing

Ive had the older one ask me to microwave him a hotdog...this year Ive taught them about the microwave and how to use a can openner lol. I was making grilled cheese on the stove in 3rd grade.

My dd has been making herself breakfast and getting her own drinks since she was 5. She's 7 now and will help make her school lunches and gets herself and her brother breakfast most mornings. She only makes cereal, toast or oatmeal but she loves doing it! She showers herself, brushes her hair and her teeth. I mostly have to remind her to do those things though lol.

I was home alone at 9 from 6:30 - 6:30/7. I had to get myself up and dressed, make my lunches and get myself to school.

I would say 7ish. I plan on letting my kids make their breakfast with my help at 5ish. I think I was 6 or 7 wheni started to make my own breakfast

My seven year old can make toast and pour cereal, etc, but I usually do it on school mornings just because it's faster.

Your son is old enough to make himself breakfast. I was cooking meals for the whole family at his age.

My ds is 10 too, he has been making breakfast for himself for a few years. I think soon we will move onto things on the stove.

In regards to other things you mentioned, I still have to remind him to shower and brush his teeth. His personal hygiene is far from optimal but he hasn't started to smell yet. I'm hoping next year when he goes to jr high he starts taking more responsibility with this.

Sarah that was a little rude. I wasn't being mean I literally asked a question. I just think it would be more of a hassle to cook more than one meal when there are already other people that you are cooking for. It is much easier to only make one meal for everyone.

I don't judge how anyone else lives their lives so why should mine be judged? I love being a wife and a mom. My job is my home and taking care of my children. My oldest is six. For his age he is very independent and self reliant. He does more and harder chores than most children his age. It's the way it is growing up on a ranch. So I do not believe that we are hindering him in any way but teaching him hard work. But honestly your comment just makes me happy. I am glad that I can do for my family what I do. It is a blessing to me to be able to show them I love them. It's nice that others can see in the way I live my life, my love for them and my love of God.

My 4year old gets up evey morning and makes herself a bowl of cereal lol so yes ten is reasonable.

10. I knew how to cook simple things at that age. But I know not all kids can be trusted with an oven and stove.

@gina maybe her other children aren't ready for breakfast when the older child needs to eat before school? Maybe they all have different schedules? Anyways your comment doesn't negate from the fact that he's 10. Whether his mother makes breakfast for everyone or not, he should still be able to make his own. Period. Kid needs to grow up sometime. Can't be catered to forever.

My daughter gets her own cereal I'm right there when she does it but I like her independence she's 5

My 6 year old gets his own breakfast. Cereal, waffles, fruit, milk, yogurt, etc. He has an egg allergy, so we don't cook a lot of breakfast foods on the stove.

@gina because unlike you not everyone lives in the 50's. A lot of us want productive independent children who grow up to be successful adults. My sister is 11 and can cook eggs, pancakes, homemade waffles. Again this isn't the 50's, most of your comments tend to belong in that era.

My husband doesn't even make his own breakfast. I get up and cook everyone breakfast and we sit down together to eat every morning. If you are cooking for the younger kids, why not cook for the older one too? I am not trying to be rude, I just don't understand why it would he would need to cook his own.

But I guess to actually answer your question, I started helping my mom cook when I was about 10. We never had anything in the house that we could just warm up in a toaster or microwave other than plain toast though. So tall enough and responsible enough to cook on a stove or griddle.

My 6 year old can make toast or eggos in the toaster. You're good. Let the boy have at it.

My 9 year old brother will ask to get up early to make everyone breakfast. He was visiting me and all I did was supervise him , he made it all. At 10 a child should definitely be able to make his own breakfast.

We hardly ever use the microwave to make something if we do its macncheese. I don't have older kids but if I make my 3 yr old bfst I ask her to help me with taking the eggs out of the fridge. But yes I agree that kids can do simple things like what you said.

I, too, think 10 is reasonable. I was able to make mac & cheese on the stove by then (I know that's not breakfast and all).

My 7 year old insists on making her own breakfast. I think by 10 he should be able to do something like that on his own.

My 10&6 dds make their own breakfast. Cereal, toast, or throw a pancake sausage in the microwave. They only ask how long to heat something or help if they can't reach something. We need to teach our kids how to be independent and it starts at a young age

FSM is the Flying a Spaghetti Monster.

He does chores, they all do but when it comes to self care my husband coddles them all to the extreme! The kid does the dishes, but can't make himself breakfast. Makes sense ?

I have a 10 yr old sd. And if it were up to me she would be making her own breakfast and helping to make her school lunches and even help with dinner if there was something she could do/be supervised doing. But her daddy (my hubbs) doesnt want her too. "She could get hurt"

Huu?? Pouring cereal?? Lol my dd will be doing chores and doing small things in the kitchen by 10! I agree with you squish!

But what does FSM sake mean???

my 10 yo dd makes herself waffles in the toaster. she is not allowed to use the stove yet. she is a space cadet. and she made a fire in the microwave while heating up mac and cheese, so no more microwave for her.

I was making breakfast for myself much earlier than 10 and taking care of dinners by 12 to feed a family of 5. I'd be leaving it up to him to figure out, gotta learn how to care for yourself before it's time to leave home lol

I was making my own breakfast in the morning by the time I started elementary school. I think that 10 is perfectly reasonable.

My dd has been getting breakfast since she was 5, mostly cereal,juice,milk by herself, it made her feel independent, a big girl. The small stuff but at age 10 he should be able to feed himself.

I think ten is a reasonable age to expect him to fix his own breakfast. My eight year old does cereal and toast. If he asks, I will help him makes eggs, bacon, pancakes, those kinds of things. Kids are pretty capable little beings.

Our ten year old has just these past few months started making his own breakfast. It wasn't something we decided would happen, he just got up early one morning and decided to make himself some cereal so he was clearly ready. I feel abit mean sometimes when he's made it himself like I'm neglecting him but at the same time I know it's all part of growing up so I'm being ridiculous.

I agree with you. My daughter was doing these things for herself at age 6 with a little guidance and supervision. If hubby doesn't like it he will have to make breakfast for your son by himself

I made my own breakfast years before I was 10. Like a pp said usually cereal or toast with peanut butter. But by 10 I could make pancakes. It's plenty old enough in my opinion. Especially if its just to use a toaster or microwave.

I'd say by 7/8 they should at least be able to get themselves cereal. By 10 definitely should be making their own. Kid doesn't get enough to eat? Not your problem. They know where the food is. They know if their still hungry. Gotta figure it out sometime. Can't have mommy doing it for you forever.

I think 10 is a more than reasonable age. My oldest girl started getting breakfast for herself when she was about 7, usually it's just a bowl of cereal but sometimes she'll make herself toast and she's always made herself enough to eat

I agree with you. By 10 he should be able to feed himself, barring any developmental disorders.

By that age I was able to make Bisquick pancakes on the stove.