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[quote=Anonymous]You're concerned about it, and you are learning how to do things yourself. This is a great! Just the *concept* that not everything needs to be outsourced is a valuable lesson to teach your children.

Watch the how-to videos with your kids. Get them involved in the household maintenance tasks that you do.  Even two year olds like to be helpful - let him think he is helping, even if it slows down the task. "Here's a paper towel, clean the table legs" is a traditional task for that age group. Even sweeping or mopping the floor; just do it again after your child has finished. Five year olds can be legit semi-useful when working with you (don't expect anything independent. Taking dishes to the dishwasher, picking up, sorting laundry, mixing things, holding a flashlight, putting spoons & chopsticks on the table, opening the package that the new filter comes in, light weeding, digging with a trowel, handing you a tool that you've conveniently stacked near him and could reach down and get yourself a lot faster but that would defeat the point. This builds useful habits you'll be able to build on as they age, and, critically, fine and gross motor skills.

In terms of outsourcing, look into doing and making sorts of groups -- Scouts (used to be Boy Scouts, but some troops now are mixed)/Trail Life (boys)/American Heritage Girls (girls)/4-H (mixed).  Possibly Girl Scouts, too, though I've heard the experience here is very troop-dependent.  This is potentially an opportunity to get your husband more involved as well.

This area is also  rich enough and dense enough to support a huge variety of week-long outdoor skills-focused summer camps and classes. These tend to be pricey, but I think my kids have had some good experiences.[/quote]

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