Teaching our children life skills

Diamond Member Joined: Nov 27 2006 Posts: 4761

Hows this for learning 'early' life skills?
Last Friday after I finished mopping up the whole house, my 2 year old comes with the mop saying saying he wants to wash the floor. I figured the mop was only slightly damp so I let him. a minute later he comes saying he needs water cause it not wet, I tell him its wet enough and doesnt need more. I got busy with something else but 5 minutes later I come into the dining room and find the whole floor soaking wet! He then showed me how he went to the bathroom sink, put on the water, stuck in the mop, and proceeded to wash all the floors of the house!
A different time I came into the kitchen and see that he had cracked 5 or 6 raw eggs into a pot and tells me he's making 'ayer shpeiz' (scrambled eggs). He hardly got anything on himself or the floor and he didnt forget the salt (half a bottle, though!)
Lucky future wife!! Razz

I grew up doing a lot of household chores, knowing how to sew, bake, clean and shop. My children also know basicly, but much less than I did. But I guess its really my fault, cause I just like to do things on my own, and dont trust them as much.

believe it or not, Mrs. XYZ, that's the first step to learning how to do most things! My boys helped out together with my girls and they can also cook (some) and well as wash floors, etc.
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Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. (I haven't finished growing up yet; I'm still a work in progress - until 120!)

Silver Member Joined: Mar 08 2008 Posts: 514

When my oldest daughter was 2 she figured out on her own how to change her baby sister's diaper! I assume she just learned by watching me, because this was something I hadn't planned to teach a 2 year old. Anyway, she went on to learn how to even change her own diaper. This actually made potty-training extremely difficult! Now she likes to help change diapers and help with babies. All the other kids learn how to change diapers around 7 or 8 by watching her. My kids can also make bottles. too. I give them simple instructions and they follow them. It's really fun for them to help with babies! My oldest (now 11) now likes to bring the baby into her bedroom to watch her. There is even a crib in there if they all fall asleep. She loves to play with her!

As for other skills, my kids from about 5 on up can set and clear the table. They can sweep. Some even like to mop. They can wash dishes and bottles. My oldest is startng to help with the cooking and baking. The kids like to help fold and put away laundry. Some like to vacuum.

[/quote]Tefila, I just want you to know that I'm awed by your kinderlach's skills. Yes, real-life shlichus skills. Thumbs Up

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Thanks Tzena, may they just continue to grow............... .

Gold Member Joined: Nov 02 2008 Posts: 1044

I must tell you this story that just happened in my house with my 10 year old son. The other night he had a friend over for dinner and I was going to get ready to make scrambled eggs and potatoes and cheese for there dinner when my son said Mommy I'll make the dinner for my friend and I. I said ok since he does know how to cook. He carefully checked his eggs and prepared the potatoes and cheese dish. While making the eggs he turns to his friend who is watching him make this dinner and asks him do you know how to cook and his friend said no my mother won't let me she does everything. My son with a very straight face looked his friend in the eye and said what are you going to do when you get married and your wife goes to the hospital to have a baby. The boy just stood there looking at my son not knowing what to say.

I am proud to say both my sons now how to cook. Last Shabbos my older son was away for a Shabbos with his Yeshiva and he was asked to prepare all of the food. This is what he made, 3 types of fish, chicken soup w/matzo balls, variety of salads, honey mustard chicken, potato kugel, fruit compote, chulent and many other things. I will tell you my husband is a professional chef and believed at a very young age that our children should learn to cook.

Both my sons wash the floors in our building when it our turn and the neighbors say they both do the best job. Some times when they don't want to do it they hire my older son if he is home.

My older son does all of his own ironing and my younger son also like to do it, that I usually do for him.

I have always been a firm believer that children need to learn how to run a house.

(I am looking for a wonderful warm girl for my 20 year old son. He will make a wonderful husband.)