Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but for those who learned to sew, how did you do it? My MIL used to do all of our mending, but is no longer local. Would be a useful skill, but I don't know where to start.

I took classes through FCP&R. You have to take "Sewing Machine Primer" first and then you can take 1 & 2.

Anonymous wrote:Learn how to sew. Not in a crafty way, but in a making clothes kind of way.

+1, even just learning how to hem or taking in a dress, saves money!

Anonymous wrote:Also - on the outdoor skills front, who will be taking the lead on that / do you have daughters? I don't want to get preachy, but I think there is a LOT to be said for modeling for girls that these aren't 'boy' skills, and that they can take the lead on their own outdoor adventures when they get older.

OP here. I have two boys, although I think it's just as important for them to see that everyone can lead adventures. My husband and I share outdoor adventures pretty equally, so I'm not worried on that front.

Campfire PP here. Power tools is good too. If you're looking to build something and want to find plans to start check out Ana-White.com.

Also - on the outdoor skills front, who will be taking the lead on that / do you have daughters? I don't want to get preachy, but I think there is a LOT to be said for modeling for girls that these aren't 'boy' skills, and that they can take the lead on their own outdoor adventures when they get older.

Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but for those who learned to sew, how did you do it? My MIL used to do all of our mending, but is no longer local. Would be a useful skill, but I don't know where to start.

G Street Fabrics in Falls Church offers all kinds of sewing classes.

Power tools are fun!!! Get yourself a drill and an edger, you will never stop.

This is a skill for your kids, but start teaching them cursive. Schools barely teach it anymore, it's good for their brain development and fine motor skills, and is a skill most other kids won't have.

Hi. OP here. Thanks for all the great ideas! I'm inspired to try to learn all sorts of skills now! I'm impressed with what you all are doing.

Our other big family goal was to have lots of outdoor adventures, so the outdoor skills fit in nicely with that but also might be too similar.

Right now I'm thinking I might want to learn to use power tools- a little outside of my comfort zone, but (possibly) useful. But keep your ideas coming!

Not OP, but for those who learned to sew, how did you do it? My MIL used to do all of our mending, but is no longer local. Would be a useful skill, but I don't know where to start.

I really like this idea. I'm going to use it in 2015. Thanks, OP!

Croissants. You cook, but can you make croissants? That actually my goal for the year

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I want to learn how to drive a stick shift.

My Daddy told me that everyone should know how to do this.

He never told me why though.....

My dads version: if you're ever ride with someone and they get sick or hurt and can't drive, you need to know how to drive a stick.

My boyfriends version:what if you are being chased by a murderer and the only car with keys is a stick?

My version:
It's fun!
You can pop the clutch if you're stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery and nobody around to jump start (this has actually happened to me)
If you travel to Europe and want to rent a car, you need to know how to drive stick!

Sadly, it's getting to be really hard to find good cars here with stick shift. Everything is automatic these days.

Back on topic: I love the idea of rock climbing, kayaking, or camping/backpacking skills.

Anonymous wrote:I want to learn how to drive a stick shift.

My Daddy told me that everyone should know how to do this.

He never told me why though.....

My dads version: if you're ever ride with someone and they get sick or hurt and can't drive, you need to know how to drive a stick.

My boyfriends version:what if you are being chased by a murderer and the only car with keys is a stick?

I want to learn how to drive a stick shift.

My Daddy told me that everyone should know how to do this.

He never told me why though.....

SCUBA classes are pretty fun. Or maybe some other physical skill outside your normal routine - learn to rock climb, ski, kayak. What a fun family challenge.