https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:24:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-will-your-los-be-before-you-let-them-use-the-stove#post-410977 Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:12:58 +0000 mrsmenow 410977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 10 year old (5th grade) and she helps cook, but does not use the stove unless I am there-like today she stirred chocolate that was melting for me, but that is really it. She isn't home by herself very often and if she is it isn't for very long. If she needs to heat something up she uses the microwave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-will-your-los-be-before-you-let-them-use-the-stove#post-410943 Thu, 22 Nov 2012 16:25:57 +0000 BoogieBea 410943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably around 10, but LO is already really interested in the stove. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-will-your-los-be-before-you-let-them-use-the-stove#post-410939 Thu, 22 Nov 2012 16:23:23 +0000 Freckles 410939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am pretty sure i started using the oven/stove around 8-9 years old. I made fried rice, ramen, KD, and heated up pot pies in the oven. I remember making cookies when i was 8, but my grandma helped me put them in the oven. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-will-your-los-be-before-you-let-them-use-the-stove#post-410925 Thu, 22 Nov 2012 16:14:41 +0000 squid 410925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As soon as I'm confident that they won't burn themselves or the house down...</p> <p>using knives on the other hand, I'm shooting for 14 months? =D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-will-your-los-be-before-you-let-them-use-the-stove#post-410920 Thu, 22 Nov 2012 16:05:06 +0000 Rubies 410920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom taught me how to use the stove when I was in grade 4 because my brother and I were latchkey kids and had to warm certain things up (we didn't get a microwave until a year or two later). On those days, we had to call her at work to tell her we had turned on the stove and call her again at work when we had turned off the stove. If more than 20 minutes passed by without a phone call, she'd call us to make sure the house hadn't burned down. Hardcore mom.</p> <p>By grade 6 I was using the stove regularly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-will-your-los-be-before-you-let-them-use-the-stove#post-410917 Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:41:22 +0000 .twist. 410917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I was between 10 &amp; 12 so I think that's probably going to be a good age for our boys too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-will-your-los-be-before-you-let-them-use-the-stove#post-410915 Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:30:07 +0000 autumnlove 410915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe around 9? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-will-your-los-be-before-you-let-them-use-the-stove#post-410914 Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:29:36 +0000 Arden 410914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends on maturity level and how naturally cautious they are. I was cooking my own pancakes or oatmeal every day by age 4, and never once burned myself badly or started a fire. I was a cautious child and my Mom knew it, so she gave me responsibility early.</p> <p>When my Dad started a grease fire and freaked out, I knew exactly what to do and put it out before he could react. I did 90% when my Mom was pregnant with my little sister, and I was five. I still love to cook.</p> <p>My little sister on the other hand, wasn't allowed to use the stove until she was 12. She's not cautious, has a very short attention span, and was pretty careless in general growing up. My Mom knew she'd end up leaving a dishcloth on the stove and start a fire... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-will-your-los-be-before-you-let-them-use-the-stove#post-410905 Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:14:33 +0000 mrbee 410905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Charlie loves cooking so much that I started thinking about when we can put him in charge of dinner. So I did some Googling, and I came across this link that says your child should be at least 11 before they have responsibility for cooking:<br /> <a href="http://www.fireproofchildren.com/IsMyChildReady.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.fireproofchildren.com/IsMyChildReady.html</a></p> <p>Hmm, 6th grade... that sounds pretty reasonable to me. He's definitely going to be making a lot of food in the kitchen well before then though! We definitely want to encourage his love of the kitchen, since I think he eats better when he's made his own food... and he's not a great eater.</p> <p>How old will your LOs be before you let them use the stove? </p>