What life skills should an 11 year old have?

[robinpud]

She can send a text but can't peel a spud.
She can do a powerpoint but can't sew on a button.. has never made a cup of tea

I blame the parents

I know each child is different but roughly what should they be able to do I wonder

My two oldest, (8&9)can both make dinner for six. Needs must! And I mean pasta with lentil and tomato sauce or baked potatoes with cheese and beans.

It's partly because they want to cook and asked me if they could over the years. I want them to cook as much as they like because I can fortell payback.

Sadly they haven't yet developed an interest in laundry or cleaning but I'm working on it.

Crossing all sorts of roads safely is a big one.

It would appear from my dd that managing to remember her keys and then managing to actually open the door with them should be included as a life skill!

maybe i have done him a disservice

he could put the macine on but i would g=have to be ' put it on 40 DEGREES - QUICK WASH - yes have you got that??'

I'm just trying to think of myself in the first yr of secondary school ...

My Mum was at work then so I did have to let myself in.

So, had responsibility for a door key.
Had to eat if hungry (cereals, sandwiches etc)
Caught the (public) bus to and from school, so needed road safety also

Obv didn't have mobile/internet but knew about 999 and reverse charge calls
Probably didn't have much idea about first-aid
Had some chores by that age

Blimey I have clearly mollycoddled dd1 (10.8) waaaaaay too much. Although I suspect she is more than capable of lots of these things just never needs to . For all those of you that include making cuppas and cooking - are you never worried about them burning themselves (of course it may just be that I am such a klutz and often do burn myself I just fear the worst!)

She's been making me tea for about 2 years. Firstly under close supervision, maybe just putting the milk in, whilst I poured the water and then me watching her do it. Its a kinda gradual thing that just turn in to me yelling, 'make me a cuppa. love!' Still not completely comfortable with her bringing to me up the stairs, in bed, but hey, needs must!

Will have to try a few more things methinks - although to be fair she is quite keen on being 'responsible' so might be on to a winner (for all of a week probably )

The thing is it's painful. I decided dd needed to know how to peel a spud on Sunday and nearly ended up embedding the peeler in my own eyeballs . It was truly a painful experience for both of us. I sense an uphill struggle coming on.

oh so true robinpud!!!

The Cubs have some good badges encouraging this sort of thing, as Maureen says

Dd is a guide so hope that peeling potatoes comes up soon. Mind you at the rate she peeled 1 spud, she might have kids old enough to be guides herself before she actually peels an entire spud.

DH is 44 and still not mastered quite a few of these...

Actually dd1 can peel carrots but not spuds something to do with shape I seem to remember! Can but doesn't mind.

I still remember the correct order to washing things up from my Brownies days, along with sewing on a button and having 2p in my pocket for a phone call!

Ah Maureen can you pack a suitcase and serve a cup of tea as in the Hostess badge?!

YES! I can do that too! I have to say, none of these things have been the remotest bit of use over the years! I can put on a triangular banadge too! Although, having done a first aid course 2 weeks ago, I know you don't use a safety pin on the elbow anymore!

Make a cup of char - oh yes, deff. What's more, they usually like doing it.
Make a simple meal plus some sort of homebaking.
Sustain entertaining conversation for more than 10 mins (wouldn't aim for more than once a week though)
Go to shop and get messages.
Give advice on job-related issues sometimes.
Paint miniature flowers on polished nails or some other fine finger work.

My dd is 12. She is a fab cook - she can follow a recipe to make quite complicated things - including the best fish cakes I have ever tasted and an amazing Nigella chocolate cake. She can make tea - and will ask if anyone wants one. She can use public transport, shop, do errands, write a charming thank you note or letter to grandma. She can tidy and hoover. Clean the car. Take charge of her own stuff - usually. Look after and play with little brother without too much hassle. Weed a flower bed. Look after pets. Start the car. Shop sensibly. Decide for herself that a television programme isn't suitable for herself or for her little brother and change channels. Simple first aid - recovery position, pressure on bleeding (in therory!). Make polite conversation to adults. Be a good hostess.

What about the nails, seeker? You need alittle pizzazz in amongst the drudgery

I like the sound of your DD seeker. Can I borrow her for a bit to shape my three up?

I was once told tennis is an essential life skill.

I forgot to mention. Paint nails, apply eyeliner and mascara, throw together a hippy-chic/chick outfit worthy of Sienna Mieer and spot a charity shop bargain at 100 paces!

An can take little credit for a lot of her practical accomplishments - she is an enthusiastic Scout and they work really hard at independence in her troup.

Oh and she can paddle a canoe, sail a dinghy and ride a horse. She's starting to sound like a character from a 1950's boy's adventure book. Apart from the eye liner, obviously.

Seeker, if your DD fancies a weekend break, she is always welcome chez Bluestocking!

My ds is a mosquito magnet - nobody else gets bitten if he's around. He can also play the didgerido and balance a spoon on his nose. Not at the same time, obviously. Would you like to borrow the pair?

Mine can cook a meal and make me tea and know what housework is but don't do it.