Here's everything your child should be doing at each age

Here's everything your child should be doing at each age

Should a 15-year-old be allowed to listen to explicit songs and have a girlfriend or boyfriend over to the house?

The answer is yes, according to a survey of 2,000 parents in the UK by My Nametags, a manufacturer or iron-on labels and stickers.

The research also found that parents think it is fine for 11-year-olds to have a tablet device or a TV in their bedroom.

And at the age of 10, they are expected to fold their clothes when they take them off, and be allowed to choose what they wear.

At 12, parents would trust kids to surf the internet alone, and at 8 years old, be able to brush their teeth without help.

Snapchat and Whatsapp accounts are allowed at 14, and once they turn 16, parents would allow their kids to have friends over at the house when no one else is home.

Spokesperson Lars B. Andersen of My Nametags, said: "The survey just goes to show some of the many intricacies of being a parent. Of course, every child is different and may be able to do things or take on certain responsibilities later or earlier than our results show.

"However, it's fascinating to get some indication of when mums and dads will typically allow or expect their kids to do certain things."

Interestingly, 70 per cent of the parents with kids aged two to 18 believe privileges are granted too soon these days. While 29 per cent of mums and dads surveyed consider themselves to be stricter than other parents.

But what would Asian parents say?

My bet is that responses will be a whole lot more conservative, especially when it comes to dating and relationships.

But as for being expected to pick up after themselves (something kids should accomplish at age 10), all we can say is good luck with that - it's something even some of us adults have trouble doing.


Photo: My Nametags

EXPECTATIONS OF CHILDREN: A TIMELINE

16 YEARS OLD:

Have friends over when parents are away

Go out after dark

15 YEARS OLD:

Listen to explicit songs

Go on a date

Buy their own clothes

Have a girlfriend or boyfriend round to visit

Drink energy drinks

14 YEARS OLD:

Have Facebook

Have Snapchat

Go to town with friends

Have their own front door key

Have WhatsApp

Go to the cinema with friends

13 YEARS OLD:

Be in the house alone

Go out on their own

Go to the shop on their own

FaceTime friends

Have a computer in their bedroom

12 YEARS OLD:

Walk to school on their own

Surf the web alone

Own a mobile phone

Cycle to school

Play at the local park unsupervised

Have a laptop

Have an MP3 player

11 YEARS OLD:

Have a tablet device

Have a TV in their bedroom

10 YEARS OLD:

Put the dishes away

Take care of their school uniform

Not to lose belongings

Understand the value of their possessions

Be allowed to choose what they wear

Have friends over for sleepovers

Go to friends for sleepovers

Fold-up clothes when they take them off

Get ready by themselves

9 YEARS OLD:

Lay the table

Start getting pocket money

Bath or shower without help

8 YEARS OLD:

Tie their own shoelaces

Put their own clothes in the wash

Brush their teeth without help

7 YEARS OLD:

Ride a bike

GOING TO BED: 8pm - eight years old; 9pm - ten years old; 10pm - 12 years old

MOVIES:

Watch 12 certificate movies (suitable for those 12 and older) alone - 12 years old

Watch 15 certificate movies alone - 14 years old

Watch 18 certificate movies alone - 16 years old

 

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