Kids and life skills

Kiboko

A thread on the benefits thread got me thinking about the things I try to do in order to prepare my children for the ‘real world’, if anyone has any helpful hints as to other things I could do I would be grateful. Apologies if this is in the wrong forum.

1) Work skills (touch typing, audio and shorthand)
2) Money, using pocket money I ‘lend’ them money and they have to pay interest, when I ‘borrow’ from them I have to pay them interest. I pay the pocket money monthly so they have to manage their money through the month, until they are eleven it’s paid into a BS a/c with a book, at eleven a Lloyds TSB Youth account. The older two both have spreadsheets for expenditure that they maintain.
3) Cooking, the elder two can both produce meals (roast dinner, spag bol plus lots more) the 3 yr old can make toast, sandwiches, grate cheese.
4) They all help with chores in the house and garden.

balletshoes

audio and shorthand? unless you're a PA/secretary, does anyone else use those?

I work in an office, have never had audio or shorthand, and I've been here 27 years.

cooking, chores, money etc, yep, brilliant.

rachbc

I agree - the work skills you have choosen a a little out of date - basic undertsanding of all the main office programmes would be more use - though probably equally out of date by the time the 3 yo is ready for work!

Money I agree they need to learn to budget but personally wouldn't change my kids interest.

Cooking - definitely, also basic hosuehold stuff like unblocking a sink/ loo, putting up a shelf/ curtain rail, changing oil on a car etc etc

aliasojo

balletshoes wrote: »

audio and shorthand? unless you're a PA/secretary, does anyone else use those?

I work in an office, have never had audio or shorthand, and I've been here 27 years.

cooking, chores, money etc, yep, brilliant.

Might the audio and short hand be of use in a 'translator' capacity rather then *just* a usual office?

I'm sure I saw an advert for a translator position that said something about audio specifically.

Can't remember exactly though.

Good idea generally I think. Too many kids and parents concentrate solely on academic qualifications and forget all the other important skills that make a well rounded, able individual.

fannyanna

I don't have any children yet but I think this is a brilliant idea and something that I will do when I have some.

As a child I didn't have to do any chores, got pretty much what I wanted and as I didn't want to eat the healthy meals my Mum made I pretty much lived on a diet of "oven food".

You can imagine the adjustments I faced when I moved out :rotfl:

CH27

I've taught my son how to manage money, how to make a budget & stick to it. how to shop effectively, how to cook, clean, wash & iron.

Caroline_a

When my children were little I did a 6 month 'be an exec secretary' course as I thought my degree was getting a little out of date. Best thing I ever did, have rarely been out of work, even if it's only temping.

However I agree with ignoring the audio and shorthand. Far better is to give them a good grounding in Word, and Excel. Do this not by courses, but by setting them tasks to do - type out a letter, change layout, colours, add graphics, and with excel look at pivot tables, calculations, a simple spreadsheet to show savings and pocket money.

And if you have boys, teach them to iron!!

grandma247

Learn basic sign language. There are a few jobs that need this and it is always a useful skill.

BugglyB

Another good one is talking to people ie bus drivers, shop keepers, waiters etc. I used to love it as a waitress when parents made their children order from me instead of 'she'll have' or 'can you show him where the toilet is' etc. My colleague still rings up to find up when her 18 year old sons shifts are at work :eek:

LunaLady

I am teaching mu children how to budget, and they all have savings accounts, but charging interest is a bit harsh!

Kiboko

LunaLady wrote: »

I am teaching mu children how to budget, and they all have savings accounts, but charging interest is a bit harsh!

They charge me interest too I just think it's a way of them knowing that borrowing is not free. I have an indian grandfather and this was done with me from childhood.

As to audio and shorthand not being useful, I am a secretary and I use those skills daily.

Thanks for other ideas, will add them to my list