Being raised by a stay-at-home Mom who
took her job very seriously and professionally, I assumed for years
that everyone was taught certain skills in their homes as well. Now
as a mother myself, I understand that it is not a natural or easy
thing to make sure your children acquire domestic skills. I also
realize that if I don't teach them, no one else will. As a result,
another generation will grow up less capable than the preceding
generation.
Our toddlers know how to beat every
level of Angry Birds, but do they know how to fold and put away
laundry? Our teenagers can text up a storm blindfolded, but can they
grow and prepare their own food? Homemaking doesn't magically
distill upon us or our children in the way the 15 second montages
depict on TV. But judging from my Mom's efforts, I'd say all the
time, sweat and tears pay off. And honestly – the process itself
is one great adventure, with lots of fun to be had along the way.
My Top 12 Domestic Arts Categories:
- Cleaning
- Laundry
- Cooking/Meal Planning
- Baking/Cake Decorating
- Canning/Food Preservation
- Gardening
- Entertaining/Party Planning
- Mending
- Sewing
- Gracious Civility
- Organizing
- Handwork (knit, crochet, embroidery)
Posts in each category will explain at
what age I recommend teaching which skills, and how to help children
become more proficient as they grow and mature. You may not end up
with a home full of Betty Crockers or Martha-wanna-be's, but you will
end up with capable, and skilled young adults that you can confidently unleash on
the world.
