Blogger notSupermum (love that name) currently has a great list of stuff our kids should really know. The stuff we just sort of assume they know but actually, if we're being honest, we didn't sit them down and teach them, and they don't get the knowledge by osmosis. The example she gives is having to talk her daughter through a train time table, and how to get the right train, and there are a whole host of others in the post mentioning cooking, shopping first-aid etc.
How did we learn them? I can't really remember learning to cook and, unlike my 11 year old Master Chef in the making, I don't remember making meals till I was almost ready to leave home. I knew how to wash and iron for some reason, the Hoover was also a known factor. (Do my kids even know where I keep mine I wonder?)
Apart from the great list at notSupermum's blog, I would probably add -
- learn what can go in the microwave. I probably get this question every week referring to paper, polystyrene, various forms of plastic. What would have been helpful is "Mom, can you put a plate with a fork on it in the microwave?" (Fortunately I caught this one just before the "start" button was pressed.)
- learn how to remove stains. Actually that should be, 'have the presence of mind to attempt to remove the stain you've just caused". The stain-removal-ignorati usually attack most stains by rubbing at them. And we all know that all that does is rub them in a little more. In most instances, all a kid needs to know is to get a large dish towel (not a nice hand towel please), put it on the stain (if it's on the carpet) and stand on it till the liquid is transferred from the carpet onto the towel.
- learn what can go into the freezer and for how long. Ditto food that is stored in the fridge. Just because it's been in there a week doesn't necessarily mean it's dangerous but yes, that green stuff growing on the top is not a good sign.
- learn how to clean pots etc. Not everything goes in the dishwasher (another tutorial), and some baked on stains need special attention that doesn't always include scrubbing them with a Brillo pad.
How about you? Anything else to add?