I am not talking about projects or earning badges or keeping checklists, although you may utilize some of these techniques as you train your children. I am talking about parents mentoring coming alongside to instruct, encourage and assist their children in everyday life skills. We can mentor our children by simply involving them in our lives and spending time with them. Gone are the days when schools taught homemaking skills, much less money management and life organization. With exposure and training in these areas, children will approach adulthood with confidence to manage their own careers, families and homes.
Chores are the perfect training ground for home skills.
Even the youngest child can fold a washcloth or sort clothes into whites, darks and brights. As his coordination improves, he can be expected to fold and put away towels and laundry. By the time he is 12 or 13, he can independently do the family's laundry. Other home skills are learned by spending time alongside Mom or Dad as they do home maintenance and repairs. My husband's fondest memory is of going to the hardware store and assisting his dad with home tasks.