Mom forbids 13-year-old daughter from touching anything in the kitchen unless she cleans her baking mess, leading daughter to stop doing chores: ‘Fine, I won't touch anything’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jul 15, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

I have never met a kid who likes or enjoys helping their parents around the house. Honestly, I highly doubt a kid like that actually exists. Who here has ever enjoyed folding their siblings' pajamas and endless towels? When have you ever heard anyone say, 'I can't wait to go home to wash my dishes'?

However, every kid has some sort of a deal with their parents regarding their responsibilities around the house. They could get paid in a weekly allowance or be repaid through other rewards. Some parents tell their kids they can't watch TV until they are done with their chores, while others allow their kids to get around to their chores whenever they want to.

When a kid finds a loophole in the deal they made with their parents, it shouldn't be surprising if they decide to use it. That is, until their parents notice and change the rules again. But up until then, kids are allowed to have a bit of fun.

Which is exactly what happened between the mother and the 13-year-old baker in the story below.

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    m
    via kate_sept2004

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    Fine. I won't touch anything in the kitchen

    So my 13 year old daughter recently got super into baking cupcakes, cookies, banana bread, you name it. She was doing great, but
    via LushPetalz
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    she does tend to leave a little chaos behind, flour on the counter, spoon in the sink, oven mitts everywhere.
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    One day after cleaning up yet another post-cookie explosion, I snapped a bit and said:
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    "If you can't clean up properly, then just don't touch anything in the kitchen at all!" She nodded. "Okay."
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    The next week, I came home from work to... silence. No sweet smells, no baking music from the kitchen. I figured she took it seriously.
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    Then it hit me. The dishwasher? Still full. The garbage? Overflowing. The sink? Piled with dishes. The groceries I asked her to unpack? Still sitting in bags.
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    I asked what was going on and she goes: "You said don't touch anything in the kitchen, remember? So I didn't."
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    Touché. We renegotiated the rule now it's: "You can bake if you clean like a pro." She agreed. I got cookies. She got victory. Fair trade.
    via LushPetalz
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    Cheezburger Image 10527035136
    via ElisaGH

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    Honestlynniverse I chuckled reading this, she got you good You're gonna be in for it the next few years lol
    via Honestlynniverse
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    HippieJed I would suggest law school for her. Great kid
    via HippieJed
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    Lush Petalz OP Would want it too for her, if only she does want it too, can't impose it on her though.
    via LushPetalz
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    LadySiren Never do battle with a sassy teenager. They're masters of malicious compliance and will get ya every time.
    via LadySiren
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    Buddy-Brown-Bear Good kid.
    via Buddy-Brown-Bear
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    LushPetalz OP She sure is
    via LushPetalz
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    Jazzlike_Way3801 I like your kid already :) :)
    via Jazzlike_Way3801
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    LushPetalz OP Thanks
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    jeffrey_f I feel this! my, now 21, daughter knows if she don't clean in the immediate aftermath of baking, you will need to clean it later anyway, and it will be more difficult as the damp flour has become concrete.
    via jeffrey_f

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Tags

family drama aita malicious compliance kids mother baking reddit story parenting chores family daughter Reddit women parents children Father
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