Life Skills
Other
The television is currently flooded with programmes like Eat well for less, Shop Well for less etc. To me it is obvious these people have missed out on several basic life skills. People who can't cook, don't know how to budget, buy every new gadget and so on. I can't watch eating programmes like Come dine with me and First Dates because I get irritated that people don't know how to use a knife and fork properly.
OK - I conceded I may be from a different generation, but my Mother taught us all (my brothers as well) to cook from scratch, sewing skills etc and no she wasn't a stay-at-home mum, she ran her own accountancy firm but made time. We were taught how to budget our pocket money, clean our shoes, ironing... the list is endless.
Do parents still teach these skills and if not, why not?
I think what the media shows are very often FAKE NEWS. Do not need to believe in all of these things.
Lots of the times these are actors and saving means nothing behind. I remember in one particular saving program where they change the well known brand to cheaper ones and they always go to rich people who have big houses and everything and always used branded products only and do not use coupons.
I think all the parents teach different things to their kids, some of them will never learn those skills you listed. Personally I think finance should be a class in the school and they should educate children about everything and teach them how to manage their finances, how to fill up formal forms and other things. educate between currencies and tell them how they can invest money. Probably these classes would be more useful than some part of the mathematics and history...
How to use the knife and fork is etiquette and yeah, they used to teach that in schools too, but nowadays maybe just parents can teach these, like u give way to elderly and give them seat on the bus. People did not learnt these things. Even if someone pregnant, they do not give the place up and u wear the badge, so they can see and most of the time healthy men are sleeping in the places which is for people who less able to stand.
Thanks I appreciate your comments. I know some banks do go into some schools to talk about finance which is good and I like the idea of teaching them finance, currencies, investment and form filling as part of the curriculum. But should all the onus be on schools, surely parents have responsibilities as well. Behaviour - good or bad is learnt - whether it is dropping litter or giving up your seat.
Jamala Etiquette was part of the curriculum and finance should come in. Some parents have no time to teach these things to kids not like in the old times.They work hard to earn or because they have issues, divorced parents have less time.
All I learnt from finance when I was small, that even if we had no money, my Grandfather and Grandma gave us some. I had no pocket money. Sometimes I got some for Birthday and I spent it on something I needed, because I got one pair of shoes a year and my parents were working hard, I learnt all the etiquette rules from my Grandma and school, so yeah the kids need the chance to know about these things even if they have no one in the family to explain them.
AgnesFaludi Extended families are amazing, you were so lucky to have your Grandparents around and they certainly enriched your life.
My mum taught me how to bake, so I can make lovely cupcakes and cookies but she never taught me how to make meals. She let me peel potatoes for her but that's about it really lol. But then she said her mum never really showed her how to cook either. She used to watch cookery shows to learn. I'm currently teaching myself with online recipes! 
I will be teaching my daughters how to cook, I hate the take away or ready meal culture.
I think that everyone should be taught how to cook and how to budget. However, the problem is, if you don't know these skills then you can't pass them on. In School we teach children how to cook and about healthy eating in home ec and in some cases get them to budget by doing a food shop. I think it is hard for schools to teach everything in the time we have. Some parents can't teach their children these skills as they were not taught them themselves. My mother was a fantastic cook but she never taught me how to cook, I learnt in school and through experimenting when I moved out. I was also never taught how to budget, yet it is something I know how to do well.
Hi Jamala, it is really dangerous to get me started on subjects like this! My blood pressure rises and steam comes out my ears. I agree with you totally but it seems to me that with the advent of modern woman, feminism and equality, motherhood went down the pan, to a certain extent. Mothers now HAVE to work in order to keep a home even with 2 parents and something has to give. Is it any wonder parents want to get home, get the kids to bed and kick back in front of the tv. I stayed at home from the age of approximately 20 to 30 and had 2 boys. I taught them to read, we cooked together, did sums, went for rambles and I have done that with grandkids too. Why woman became ashamed to be housewives is a puzzle to me. Given the choice I loved being at home and looking after those I loved. I am intelligent and had a 26 year career in the council. Nowadays it is so easy to let the kids have their technological babysitters. Not a criticism. Oh I could write a tjesis on this but have bored you enough!
Lynnibis - I like to read everyone's opinions and there is no right or wrong. I was just pointing out things have changed but in other ways they haven't. Both my parents worked full time all through my childhood as many parents do today, they had no family support as we lived too far away, as kids we were in nursery before school, my father started dinner as Mum never made it home before 6pm but they still managed to educate us with invaluable life skills. I always knew I couldn't cope with children and work, and I admire anyone who can and take my hat off to those who stay at home to bring up their children.
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