When a child (7 yrs) gets ready for school in the morning is it bad to have her make her bed?

Question

As part of my daughter's morning routine she is required to make her bed. She's 7 years old and I have been told different things. If anyone has any ideas pls advise.

Thanks

Jess

Answer 1

it's your child, and if you feel that bed-making is a good way to teach some sort of responsibility, then by all means ask her to make the bed.

remember that a 7 year old won't make the bed as nice and neat as an adult, but hey, it's nice if she tries.

we all need to make our own choices when it comes to teaching our kids responsibility, and in my world, the opinions of others don't count.

when my kids learned to drive, and after they were 17, i expected them to pay 1/2 of their car insurance... many people were SHOCKED including my sister.  well, interestinly enough, by the time my oldest was 19 he had his own car, good job and paid his own bills... and there sat my sister... with a 24 year old son who didn't even buy his own groceries.. she paid EVERYTHING, including his car payment and insurance.

sometimes it's best to use our own judgment when it comes to our own kids!

take care

Answer 2

It's a good thing that she is making her bed. It's an easy task that will teach her responsibility.

Answer 3

I think it is great you require her to make her bed.  It is not a difficult task and doesn't take a lot of time.  It is a good habit for her to get into.

Answer 4

No not at all.   Mine have been helping me since they were 4 years old.  And no I didn't expect to have them do it by themselves.  Getting your kids in the habit of being responsible for their own things, room, etc at an early age will help them be more responsible as they get older.  Just get in the routine and she'll be fine.

Answer 5

No. It teachs her responsibility.

Answer 6

Not unless it makes her late, I guess. Ignore everyone else, do what you want.

Answer 7

it is bad because it makes him/her much more tired.

Answer 8

I think it`s good to have them make the bed.I have 5 children they not only had to clean their room but the bathroom also if they messed it up.now 20 yrs later they are still  making the bed and their wifes love it

Answer 9

I think making the bed is fine at that age, but not like my mamma used to make the bed! LOL....what I mean is, make sure you aren't asking for the wrinkles to be perfectly flat and the pillow tucked under by 1/2 inch bla bla bla....you know what I mean.  What you are really trying to teach her is to clean up after herself on a routine basis....so keep that in mind.

Answer 10

No, this is a great form of discipline and teaches them responsibility. Just make sure your child gets enough sleep if she needs to make her bed every morning.

Answer 11

no- i don't think it's wrong. i mean, i have a 7 and 8 year old and i think they have enough to worry about just getting themselves ready to go... but that's ME not you. my kids are different than yours. does your daughter seem to be okay with it in the mornings? is she responsible otherwise? does she get to school in time and does she seem to be not stressing about it? there's nothing worse than being stressed before school. if she gets up in time, doesn't seem to be stressed, then fine! great! what a good girl! i think you're doing just fine by having her make her bed then.

Answer 12

Think about her reasons for not thinking she should do it.  She's *tired*?  Guess what, you are too and yet you are up and packing lunches, showering, going to work, etc.  Does she need to leave the house so very early?   If you have to leave the house with her at 6:00 to drop her at before-school care and get to work and she's dragged out of bed at 5:30, then you know, I'd say skip the bedmaking.  If you leave the house at 8:00 and you wake her up at 7:00 but she spends an entire hour eating breakfast, brushing teeth, getting dressed, then, well, she needs to learn to move quicker in the morning and get stuff done.  

Kids will learn though to make excuses, even at early ages and if we let them get away with it they will become teenagers who haven't accepted responsibity for their own actions, or lack thereof.

Answer 13

No its a good thing she makes her bed my 9 yr old dont even do that

Answer 14

I agree with you....if my mom made me Make my bed,clean my room and help with the house work I wouldn't be struggling to keep a house clean...it is soo hard for me to keep a neat house it's unbelievable.....so keep up the good work and she will thank you in th futur.....

Answer 15

Wow, it appears I'm the only person who thinks this is not OK. I think at 7 years, a child has enough pressure in getting lessons right at school, and you should let kids be kids for as long as possible. I'd say 11 or 12 is plenty early enough to encourage kids to make their own beds. But is seems i am in the minority.

Answer 16

No not at all! it is good you are requiring her to make her bed. it teaches her responsability. just be sure to praise her and reward her for the chores and efforts she does.

Answer 17

When I was a kid we lived in a box in the middle of the road and every day before school Dad would make us l**k the road clean with our tongues!