Reply to chores--how much does it matter?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Make a list of skills your kids need in order to fuction successfully.  Start checking things off that list.  I think it's fine if you do the dishes most of the time, but they should know how to wash dishes by hand, how to load a dishwasher properly, etc.

My list would look a bit like this:

Finances: 
how to create a budget
How to use a credit card
How to build savings

Personal:
How to schedule doctor/dentist appointments
How to obtain medical insurance and how insurance works (deductible, etc.)
How to treat basic wounds/burns at home
First aid/CPR
How to properly care for their bodies (bathing, brushing, flushing, etc.)
Basics of nutrition

Home: 
how to do laundry
How to plan/shop for/prepare basic meals
How to keep their room tidy
How to clean a bathroom
How to clean up after a meal
Basics of food safety (how to thaw meat, avoid cross-contamination, etc.)
How to use a stove, oven, microwave
How to wash dishes and load a dishwasher
How to do basic housecleaning (dusting, windows, etc.)

Car:
How to change a tire
How to check oil
How to fill gas

There's more I am sure, but this is off the top of my head.  Think of it as a countdown: how long until they have to actually practice this skill every day in addition to schoolwork, instruments, etc. (because that stuff gets more demanding in college; it doesn't disappear)?  Right now my kids have 12 more years and we have checked off a few things on each list.  If I were you, I would do something like every Saturday you pick one kid to teach on skill (clean the bathroom together, make dinner together, etc.) and do that until they have worked on a given skill on at least 10 different occasions.  Then you can check it off the list.[/quote]

I would add these to the car:
How to wash the windows without leaving streaks
How to change the air filter
How to add windshield washer fluid
How to check tire pressure
How to jump a battery
How to add coolant to the radiator
How to check oil and know when to add more (and that that would mean you have a leak)
How to change the oil filter
How to know when something is going wrong and have an idea of what to do (ie. when it's appropriate to find the nearest mechanic vs. adding water to the radiator until you can find a gas station or auto parts store)

My mom made sure I knew how to change the tire to the spare, could pump gas without it going everywhere and could change the oil.  Some of the things that I listed (adding water to the radiator in an emergency) I learned on the fly, without or without learning the hard way and getting hurt.[/quote]

Not a How To, but I would add that a flashing engine light means you should pull over immediately and have your car towed. Learned that one the hard way. [/quote]

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