My stepmom makes my eight year old brother wash dishes every night. Does this seem appropriate to you? I wouldn't allow my own kids to wash dishes at that age, I'd be certain they'd break something. I'd like them to develop more control over their motor skills first and be strong enough to lift heavy glass dishes. When my brother breaks a dish, he gets punished. I don't agree with that at all and I think it should be expected because he is so young.