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AIBU?

to think that there are way more "useful things to teach your kids"?

36 replies

teraspawn · 03/06/2011 15:32

In response to the other AIBU thread.

I think it's important that kids leave home knowing how to do various things - including doing laundry, speaking in public, cooking and things like that. I don't think it's important that they know how to be "one of the cool kids!" AIBU? What do you want your kids to learn before they grow up?

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JoySzasz · 03/06/2011 15:34

To shake hands with the correct hand,and to do it firmly.

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shrinkingnora · 03/06/2011 15:47

To make a roux sauce.

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ZZZenAgain · 03/06/2011 15:49

in response to which thread?

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campocaro · 03/06/2011 15:50

Second roux sauce-my mum also taught me to make bolognaise sauce and scrambled egg...

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LineRunner · 03/06/2011 15:51

I'd like them to

Love their mum

Know who the current prime minister is

Promise to vote

Not read the Daily Mail except as research material

Know when they're well off.

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katvond · 03/06/2011 15:53

I think all kids should be able to cook, I even have DD doing miniature pasties. She cleans her own room etc. As my mom used to say if I do it for you you'll never want to do it yourself. Wise words.

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nickelbabe · 03/06/2011 15:53

to play the piano (even if they learn other instruments too - piano is stupidly useful)

everything that LineRunner said.

to know when to stand their ground, and when to let it pass.

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teraspawn · 03/06/2011 15:54

ZZZenAgain: It's this one: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1228650-useful-stuff-to-teach-your-kids

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teraspawn · 03/06/2011 15:55

My mum made a point of teaching me how to make a roux sauce before I left home! This is why I had macaroni cheese for dinner for most of my first year of university

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teraspawn · 03/06/2011 15:55

Sorry, www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1228650-useful-stuff-to-teach-your-kids

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EdithWeston · 03/06/2011 15:57

Basic first aid.

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pregnantpause · 03/06/2011 15:58

Table manners

Common courtesy

Money management

How to enjoy being alone and bored

Def cooking/ cleaning skills

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katvond · 03/06/2011 15:59

I was never a cool kid more a swat and guess what, I'm glad I was the swotty one.

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katvond · 03/06/2011 16:00

I mean swot, flaming predictive text

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nickelbabe · 03/06/2011 16:03

yy first aid

yy table manners and common courtesy.

definitely courtesy.

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EdithWeston · 03/06/2011 16:05

And self defence / situation awareness

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Katiebeau · 03/06/2011 16:05

Cooking - I was clueless, Mum had the patience of a nat so refused to teach us. Same for washing, ironing, shopping etc......

Best thing I ever bought was Jamies Ministry of Food and Annabel Karmel. I can roux with the best of them now, even dairy free!!!

Been cool - not so important as been able to chat to an adult in authority with politeness and confidence.

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ZZZenAgain · 03/06/2011 16:06

practical things - how to drive (as in not just have your license but really know how to drive. From experience I know that is not the same thing), know how to do a bit of diy around the home and not be reliant on help everytime something breaks (ah-hem yes)

However I don't really think I am the person to be teaching this stuff

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nickelbabe · 03/06/2011 16:09

to not be scared to try new things

and to stick at things you want to do, but are worried you'll be crap/won't make friends/find it too hard/can't be arsed

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CandyS · 03/06/2011 16:10

Looking forward to teaching them how to make pasta, 'Lika-a mama used to make' using old family traditions.

How to budget, enjoy living on a budget & not be precious little brats.

How to dress (as in no tracksuits unless you're on a track team!) & repair your own clothes.

What linerunner said.

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kw1986 · 03/06/2011 16:10

To appreciate her own company - I don't want her to be one of these silly lassies that go from boyfriend to boyfriend because they don't like being alone/single.

How to make some nice but basic meals: Spag bol, lasagna, mince and tatties, mac n cheese etc.

To know the value of something

Money management/budgeting

How to pick her battles and/or when to walk away... This is more to keep stress levels down. Let the little stuff go over your head and save your energy for the shit thats really important.

Basic home DIY - Wiring a cooker, plumbing in a washing machine, changing a fuse/plug

Time management and learning whats important in life - This will hopefully set her in good stead if/when she becomes a mum

And maybe the most important one... Housework can always wait until later/tomorrow... As long as its cleanish, a bit of clutter and some dirty dishes dont matter.

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kw1986 · 03/06/2011 16:12

Also might teach her something I heard on ER that always stuck with me -

"Be generous, with your time, with your love, with your life. Be generous. Always."

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PumpkinBones · 03/06/2011 16:23

TO:

Swim
Be polite and to be confident that their manners are suitable for any situation
Know when to stop drinking and get a taxi home
Change plugs, fuses, plumb in a washing machine, change oil and water in a car, do basic DIY and decorating
Basic cooking and housework
A few basic sentences in different languages (ideally I'd like them to learn languages, but I'm projecting my own ambition there!)
The most important thing I want to instill in my DS's is to respect other people and their opinions but I want them to be confident in themselves and not to worry about what other people think of them

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LeQueen · 03/06/2011 16:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

jenniec79 · 03/06/2011 16:38

Simple DIY - plugs, lightbulbs, sticking together of IKEA items...
First aid - not just CPR, but simple st john ambulance type stuff too.
Sewing on a button / putting a hem back up / basic mending type sewing stuff.
Selection of recipes (bolognaise/chilli/shepherds pie/few veggie things that arent just "boil/steam some veg", basic baking like crumble/biscuits/simple sponge cake etc) that are nice as home cooking but can be dressed up for an occasion if needs be. Basic cooking skills (not nec. recipes themselves).
Change a tyre, check tyre pressures, top up various car fluids (inc fuel if it's not their car, of course!).
How to read a payslip (especially if they're heading to a career in the NHS - long story, but you need to know when you're right and they're wrong)
How to do basic household/cleaning things - iron a shirt, bleach a loo (both things I had uni flatmates who needed to be taught how)

And of course how to be the "uncool kid" - I've been known to do a fine line in non-alcoholic cocktails at parties, or talk everyone into buying all my coke/oj all night and petrol money for me to be the driver (when I was about 17-19) Totally a life skill!

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