this is a spinoff from the sewing thread (ha ha...pun). One of the big benefits to homeschooling that I see is that there will actually be time to teach homemaking to my girl especially, but also to my boys. I know a lot of homeschooling families just do this naturally by making sure the kids contribute around the house, but for me, since I grew up with no chores and no real training on how to cook/clean/etc, I see it as a NECESSARY, even vital part of raising children, so that they don't struggle as I have/do with housework. So, I'm wondering about what all you families do, either just naturally or as part of the school day to prepare the kids for more than just science/math/history. thanks!
Ems made a small patch quilt for her dog. It is very colorful and has a mixture of cotton, rayon, and other fabrics. It is unique to say the least. We call it the disco quilt. LOL Still, she learned. That is the point. Baking and cooking are very important. This helps with measurements as well as life skills. Sewing is an important skill that will come in handy throughout life. All these skills are important for boys and girls too. There are other things we do but these are what come to mind at this time.
Yes, I also see chores as necessary before children become adults and go out on their own. My children help me make beds, do laundry, do dishes, dust furniture, empty garbage, general pick up, vacuum, cook/bake, grocery shop and those types of chores so far. I haven't taught them how to sew yet. They are 5 and 8. I should be asking my children to help me more often than I do though. They help with chores once in a while, but not on a consistent basis. My parents had my sisters and I clean and help out around the house while we were growing up. We had a chore day/morning every Saturday. We had to do our chores before we were allowed to go out or play. We were allowed to watch Saturday cartoons first though. My parents would pay us a small amount for our chores. They also gave us a list of chores that needed to be done and we could choose which ones. That choice did lead to arguments among us girls though. Because my parents made us do chores I learned how to take care of my household. I still don't like it, but I know how to do it. I don't want my kids to end up like my college room mate on the first night away from home. My former room mate (20 y.o. at the time) cried because she didn't know how to make her own bed because her mom always did it for her. I had to help her put her sheets on. Of course, she could have been crying for more reasons than just the bed sheets (like being away from home and starting a new chapter in her life).
My kids take part in everything. Even my ds gets involved in the cooking and cleaning. Both my kids have learned how to pressure can. My son right now is doing alot of smoking salmon. He catches the fish, cleans it, prepares it for smoking, marinades it, smokes it and then I help with the canning of it. He will be learning some sewing this year, he can make repairs though. Dd took sewing classes last year.
We do chores normally but sometimes I do give instruction in them. I've taught basic sewing and some cooking. This year my teen is having a 1/2 credit in 'bachelorette living' which is what I'm calling it. Sewing, cooking, cleaning, shopping for groceries, simple house repairs, laundry, budgeting which will tie in with our personal finance 1/2 credit of balancing a checkbook, understanding statements, banking, saving, value pricing (especially for considering large purchases), interest rates, investing, etc... All the stuff I wish I had known before getting married. My 5th grader will be learning most of it right along side the teen as well.
Just to add to what the others have posted. In addition to the traditional(cooking, cleaning, sewing...) I have also included meal planning/menu planning and how to make a shopping list all while sticking to a budget. These are all things I wish my mom had taught me. LR
my girls help out in the house chores, I tell them what needs to be done and they do it, we all pitch in and help. Been working with my 12 yr old about doing the dishes right. She hates having to touch a dirty plate so I have be making her do the dishes (I love it) Have been teaching them to wash clothes, clean bathroom, etc. They also help with the cooking sometimes. (only if they want to, I don't make them)
My kids are taking on some of the chores (daughter does laundry, son cleans their bathroom, etc.) but I do admit I'm having a harder time fitting in cooking skills and things like sewing and such.
Mine are all boys, so the skills vary just slightly... but we do have a chore list and are adding to it or changing it here and there as they age. I remember a thread some time ago about what chores you have your kiddos do at what ages, and that helped me see that I needed to have my oldest doing just a little more. Personally, I struggle with how much to make the kids do because I was made to do too much. I was doing all the laundry and dishes, trash and cooking of supper - in the 4th grade. I can budget like a maniac and grocery shop on a dime... but never learned to sew, and to this day I *HATE* (not just dislike) doing most of those things. When I moved out and lived on my own, I stopped doing them. :lol: (And since I've been married it's been a struggle with self to get back to doing them, doing ALL of them, and doing them correctly. Thank the Lord for grace and patience, I'm mostly recovered now. LOL) So, I have to be careful to make sure and have my kids do ENOUGH. But, as for skills, I'm thankful for scouting. To be honest, I wouldn't really be sure what to teach the boys if it weren't for the help we get there. LOL Ds10 can plan and cook a simple meal (and I allow him to do so periodically, even when we are not camping), he can take care of his bicycle tires and chain, he's learning some basic upkeep on a vehicle (checking fluids, changing the tire, pumping the gas), how to build some simple things, how to make some simple household repairs, things like that. Now, if his mom would just learn to sew we'd be hunky dorey! :lol:
My kids both have chores they have to do. They also both enjoy helping with the cooking, yardwork, fixing things around the house, etc. I also have a 5 year Home Ec./Life Skills plan for both of them. Last year my dd spent the year focusing on learning to cook & bake. We covered reading & adjusting recipes, kitchen tools & appliances & what they do, meal & menu planning, food prep, grocery lists, grocery shopping (including finding the best deals), and nutrition. This year, the focus is on cleaning & organizing and decorating & basic home maintenance. The other topics we will cover over the next few years will be woodworking, child care & development, occupational skills, personal finance, sewing, and basic car maintenance. My ds will also do all of these when he gets older, he's only 5 right now. Even though many of these things are things they help with on a regular basis, I want to cover them more in-depth, which is why I came up with the 5 year plan.
