How to teach 'life skills' particularly if they are ones you don't have!

[cleanandclothed]

Following on from the thread in chat about which 'life skills' are essential, does anyone have any tips on how to teach them? I am personally happy with teaching DCs cooking, swimming, budgeting (so the more practical stuff) but found myself reading that thread and primarily thinking two things:

a) for some things, I know how to do them but either don't do them very often or don't particularly like doing them. And they are things my DC need to know but I can't see them being very interested to learn. So how might I go about it?

Two examples of this would be cleaning (we have a cleaner who comes when we are all out of the house) and 'small talk' which I am not very good at, and probably gets done (by me) in situations when I am not with my DC.

b) some things I think are important (or at least useful) but I don't have the skill myself. For example, appreciation and knowledge of music - I would love my DC to have that but actually I prefer words so we have audiobooks and Radio 4 rather than music on in the house.

And how on earth do you teach stuff like resilience?

[jessplussomeonenew]

One of the top skills I want to pass on is a joy in learning, and a belief in their ability to learn. So learning something with them (like music) is a double lesson. You could try swapping an hour of radio 3 for an hour of radio 4 and see what happens.

On resilience, I thought this was interesting: www.ahaparenting.com/blog/the-secret-of-raising-a-resilient-child

[cleanandclothed]

That is a good idea about the Radio. Eldest has just cottoned on to Radio 1!

At the moment I am teaching eldest shopping. Things like the price may be different in different shops, or on different days, or for different quantities. All obvious to me but a tricky concept to get your head around when you are just getting pocket money for the first time!

[RedToothBrush]

Scouts.

Loads of the list are covered by things they'd do at a good group.

[Cagliostro]

Great thread idea. I am trying to teach my DCs how to be tidy. Well actually I'm trying to learn that as well

[drspouse]

We have a cleaner but we still do cleaning in between. Our DC may not know what an iron is for (but that can be taught when they are old enough to use one) but they've seen us clean the loo/bath/sink and mop up and have helped wipe the table, sweep the floor and hoover up. Mess can't wait a week!

[FLhahaha]

Scouts is a great idea! Mine will join cubs/brownies as they wish at age 8. And yes we do do a bit of cleaning and ironing but it is more the 'oh dear that made a (specific) mess lets clean it up' variety rather than the weekly/fortnightly general clean if you see what I mean?

[minnymoobear]

Ted talks online are great for teaching personal skills like resilience - great normal people as speakers

Most things you'll find help with on YouTube or google :)