Life has certainly changed quite drastically over the last 25-years. Technology has taken over and the children of today are spending — wasting — more and more time on electronic devices and while not learning anything of much value. While there is an upside to being technologically savvy, there is also a great downside to spending too much time using today’s tech.
The problem with today’s youth, is they need some good old fashioned skills! Life skills that seem to have been lost over the years and pushed to the side. These simple ‘old fashioned skills’ can do wonders for the youth of today!
As a parent of teenagers, myself — I can totally understand how these simple skills could get lost easily. It’s very important that kids today understand how to do simple tasks, like cook for themselves, run a laundry machine or just fix something simple, that may be broken.
Kids certainly know how to watch or interact with others via tech — text, social media, etc…but do they have the confidence and know how to simply walk up to someones door, knock and say hello? It’s little things like this that are truly important life.
Here are 48 old-fashioned life skills that the children of today need to know!
1. How to write a letter
2. How to make a phone call
3. How to take down a message
4. How to get to get to know an older person
5. How to play with a baby
6. How to sew a button or sew a tiny rip
7. How to genuinely apologize
8. How to read slowly and retain the information
9. How to hammer a nail and use basic tools
10. How to shake hands
11. How to introduce yourself
12. How to make eye contact
13. How to take notice of the needs of others around you
14. How to scramble an egg
15. How to balance a check book and write a check
16. How to see a job through to completion
17. How to interview for a job
18. How to write a proper thank you note
19. How to do laundry
20. How to garden and plant
21. How to fix something, instead of replacing it
22. How to plan out a healthy meal
23. How to properly hang a picture or shelf
24. How to wash dishes, without a dishwasher
25. How to make a budget
26. How to save for something
27. How to check tire pressure and put air in a tire
28. How to pump gas
29. How to read a map
30. How to find a book in a library
31. How to seek the help from someone more experienced
32. How to properly care for a pet
33. How to care for others, be kind and loving
34. How to admit fault and correct mistakes made
35. How to set the table
36. How to iron clothing
37. How to trust
38. How to weigh out the pros and cons of a situation
39. How to have good table manners
40. How to always say please and thank you
41. How to read a recipe and then make it
42. How to do something well, even if no one is watching. Have pride in your work
43. How to take a break from electronic devices and do something more constructive
44. How to be creative, write, play music, draw, paint, etc
45. How to use a vacuum and broom
46. How to use a shovel, rake and lawn mower
47. How to start a campfire (safely and properly)
48. How to have RESPECT for all living things
This list could certainly go on and on and I’m sure many of you could add to this list with ease! We live in an entirely different world right now and it’s very important that the parents of today teach the youth of today, how to be respectful, kind and self sufficient humans!
