From the Mailbag- Not Adept When Teaching My Children

I love your website! It really reflects how I would ideally like to raise my children. Though I
am not nearly as adept when it comes to preparing my children with these life
skills I feel hopeful that I can learn to incorporate these skills into our
family’s lives, even if it means having to learning them first myself.

-Nikki

The truth is most of us did not have time growing up to learn a lot of practical skills because we were too busy in school learning things we’d never remember, and then we had other things to occupy us like, drama filled social lives, clubs, teams and homework! There really was little need to learn most skills because so few families spent very much time at HOME!

I really appreciate this e-mail from Nikki, first of all for her willingness to be honest!

Secondly, because not only does she see the importance of her children learning skills, but because she is willing to do the hard work of learning them herself! This kind of attitude will only benefit her children. It is easy for us parents to make a list of things we tell our children to learn, but few are willing to learn them ourselves. Granted, the older we get and the more responsibilities we have it is harder to make time to learn new skills, which is even more of an incentive to make sure your kids are getting as many life skills as possible while they are young!

One of the most wonderful things about homeschooling is that you have the freedom to make life skills a part of your school day, which I really don’t like thinking of it that way; I prefer to think of it as we make school a part of our life. And personally, I don’t like the term “school”, but that is another post for another day. ;o)

We are much more likely to remember the things that we see a need to use, or actually do use. I hated math in school, but now that I balance the checkbook, keep a budget, cook and quilt (major use of fractions), math makes sense. Just being honest.

Parents, the best way to get your kids to learn new things is learn right along with them! Show them that learning is not something that is done just in school and then you coast for the rest of life, but rather that learning is a lifestyle!

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Kathy

writer, video producer, wife and mother at Teaching Good Things

Titus 2:3 says that we are to be "...teachers of good things...". We believe that part of these good things are practical skills that we all need in every day life to care for our family and neighbors. One of our primary responsibilities as parents is equip our children with the skills and tools to one day be productive, well rounded adults. Children need to be exposed to many different areas of work. Not only should they know how to work, but they should want to work. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17