Kids and life skills

Dustykitten

Sex education
E-safety
Lawn mowing
Hedge cutting
Tax and National Insurance
Energy useage (turning lights computers off)
Checking bank statements
Nutrition/balanced diet
Polishing shoes, replacing laces
That you only get one chance to make a first impression

Letting them try things and knowing it's ok if it doesn't go right the first time.

Callie22

Sewing - it made me very popular at uni as I was the only one in my flat who could sew on a button and do basic repairs. Even basic sewing is a very handy moneysaving skill.

Cat501

LE3 wrote: »

basic sewing skills - sew on a button etc
how to do laundry, inc stain removal
basic DIY - putting flatpack furniture together, hanging a picture, changing a lightbulb etc
as they get older checking the basics on a car - tyre pressure, fluids, etc & how to change a wheel

but for me the one most important life skill that you haven't mentioned: First Aid. I feel EVERYONE should have a basic knowledge of first aid!

I agree, it amazes me how much time in school is spent on pointless things when a few periods could be spent on First Aid!

And by pointless, I don't mean non-academic stuff, but academic things kids will NEVER have to use - like some of the more advanced maths/arithmetic without a calculator.

But I also think it feels a bit strange to be worrying about what a 3 year old knows.

Wirenth

podperson wrote: »

My OH is a mature student and I was having a bit of a giggle in his first year at the younger students who had just left home and had no idea about the most basic of things, eg doing a load of washing or cooking a simple meal - and the budgeting skills were non-existent!

I so agree with this. My first year at university, one of the girls in the block decided to boil herself an egg. In the kettle.:eek:

*max*

Well, I'm really surprised at the things parents are supposed to actively teach kids - I mean take time and make a lesson out of it? I'm 34 and I was never "taught" any of these things, I picked them up and used them as needed. I could sew a button at school (I mean, really? You don't have to be taught that!), I can cook from trial and error, I can iron (again, is there a skill there??), I can do all these things without having been "taught" them specifically, and most people can!

Seriously, parents have to cut themselves some slack here. Kids learn, everyday. From everything. Relax!

January20

pinkclouds wrote: »

The budgeting lessons seem OTT to me. Our parents certainly taught us about saving and borrowing but it seems extreme to actually charge your kids interest for the sake of it.

i haven't read pas this post yet but as I've noticed a few people mention the interest, I must say that I agree with the OP. Teaching children that borrowing is not free is a great idea but also they are learning how interests and repayments work. I was on the DFW board yesterday, where a thread had been written by someone who had very little understand of credit card borrowing. They were so confused reading the T&Cs (haven't we all been?:o) about the interest rate, the repayment, the jargon, etc. Better teach them early, I say.

As for audio and shorthand, I don't know. I learned shorthand but promptly forgot it. However, touch typing is priceless. I see so many of my colleagues struggle with typing documents, whilst I just wheeze through them (or so it seems :rotfl:)

OP, when they are old enough, teach them to make a shopping list and go to the supermarket to buy it. I remember a friend's dd, first year at university, completely overwhelmed by having to buy her own food. Probably an extreme case, but if you're going to get them ready for the real world...

Kiboko

*max* wrote: »

Well, I'm really surprised at the things parents are supposed to actively teach kids - I mean take time and make a lesson out of it? I'm 34 and I was never "taught" any of these things, I picked them up and used them as needed. I could sew a button at school (I mean, really? You don't have to be taught that!), I can cook from trial and error, I can iron (again, is there a skill there??), I can do all these things without having been "taught" them specifically, and most people can!

Seriously, parents have to cut themselves some slack here. Kids learn, everyday. From everything. Relax!

I don't sit them down and say 'here is todays lesson' I am just aware that there are life skills they need and introduce the subject/show by example when appropriate, negiotiating lifes trials are hard enough when you grow up, I just want to give them the tools to handle day to day life. You obviously think I am a moron, so be it, parenting is about raising your kids to be happy, participating members of the human race not just popping them out and leaving them to sink or swim. Just my opinion I am not saying everyone has to follow my example

aliasojo

Kiboko wrote: »

You obviously think I am a moron, so be it, .........

Think you are being a tad over sensitive there Kiboko, I don't think that's what Max said or meant.

She's just offering her view that some of this stuff is picked up during the natural progression of kids. It's all part of the discussion.

pink_princess

CH27 wrote: »

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.

Same here, we tidy and cook etc as a family. The children (all teens) have their own debit cards and manage their own money.

I also teach my children about the world, how lucky they are and about politics etc.
It is fine to teach them money but if they don't understand how lucky they are to have it they will not respect it.

It is a good subject for a thread OP.

Person_one

Kiboko wrote: »

When I was at Uni I temped every holiday period, secretarial jobs pay more than bar work, supermarkets etc, so I still think the skills are relevant even if they don't want to be secretaries when they finish their education. By the way, estate agents record house details and the branch secretary has to audio type, a lot of bosses also record letters etc, my kids were curious about shorthand so i taught them, I've never heard that it was a bad thing to have too many skills before

Having too many skills is not a bad thing, but, how old are your children?

Between school and all the extra learning they have to do to keep you happy do they ever get chance to relax, or socialise, or play?