I have had several experiences over the past couple of weeks where I was asked my opinion about teaching a child a basic life skill. The first was my 10-year-old nephew asked my sister-in-law to sew a button on his coat after church one Sunday. In passing I told him to go home and learn how to do it himself. My kids learn how to hand sew as early as 5, but should know how to sew on a button by the time they are 8. Another sister caught my quick suggestion and pulled me aside to see if my kids really know how to sew a button at 8. Yes, they do!
My 5 year old wanted to learn how to sew so I gave her a scrap piece of material, a needle, and thread and told her to sew whatever she wanted. She made a bag. I helped her figure out how to add a handle, she even added a decorative flower. We made it long enough that she can drape it on her shoulder and she carries her baby dolls in it.
My 8-year-old son wanted to join in, so he made his bag to fit a book. He added a flap, button, and pockets to hold his sunglasses and other fun items like his handmade keychain and notebook
My 12-year-old daughter joined the fun too and made a bag from an old pair of jeans on the sewing machine. She added a “belt” to hers for decoration.
They enjoyed being creative and learned how to use their skills to create something.
A few days after the button incident at church, I ran across another individual who was asking if anyone could teach her college student how to sew a button on a dress. Then, I was given an opportunity to help create content for a life skills program as a place for learning and growth. After all these experience came my way, I decided that I would add a Life Skills section to my blog. I hope it will be a place for learning and growth and somewhere that skills that used to be commonly taught can be learned.
I hope you will join my mailing list and follow along each week to discover new life skills that can hopefully be helpful to all of us in our lives. And, if you have a life skill you can’t find or would like to learn a new skill, leave a comment and let’s share our needs, knowledge, and experiences.
I love this, thank you for sharing
Thanks for being here Saroya 🙂 Glad you stopped by
Life skills are oh SO important. I always wanted to learn to sew. It sits on my to do list although I have learned bits and pieces along the way. Thanks for sharing!!
Sewing is so fun Alyssa! It takes a lot of patience at times, but it is rewarding to see the end result. Learning little by little is better than not at all! Thanks for stopping by
This was great, it is true to many people don’t know how to sew a button on now a days let alone children.
Thank you Rhonda! I find it sad that our kids are missing small and simple things. Thanks for reading
Thank you for addressing important life skills. I think it is important for all of us to pass these skills on to the future generations!
Thanks for coming by Carol. Life skills are so important, I’m thankful I had a grandma that took the time to teach me and that I was patient enough to learn and not give up. I’m thankful I know enough to pass onto my children.
I love this! I advocate for kids learning basic life skills. It has become apparent that many parents are far too distracted and hurried to realize that they’re missing key opportunities to have these teaching moments with their kids. You’ve definitely got a new subscriber!
Thanks Asha! I’m so glad you are here to join me 🙂 our world is very distracting. There are so many things that take up our time with our children. I try to take each opportunity as it comes to teach my children something. I have a long way to go for sure, but I’m glad I have been given the opportunity to teach my kids and that I can share that with so many wonderful people.
I’m not a great seamstress but can do some basic things. I really should teach my daughter to sew. Ultimately, I’d love to quilt. Great post!
Thanks, Carol! I have learned how to quilt a few times and my great-grandmother taught me how to quilt a baby blanket design by hand, but I still need a quick refresher before I can get started tieing a quilt. My daughter and I are working on a jean quilt right now, I’m not a very good seamstress either, but I figure there’s always room to learn and grow. I appreciate you stopping by! Have a great week 🙂
This is very revealing and significant. Our kids must be encouraged to learn the basic life skills. I remember sewing the buttons on my shirts, ironing the school uniforms as also my father’s formal dresses. Going to flour mills for getting our regular wheat flour requirements etc. Nowadays, life is very fast. And this aspect is ignored.
I love that you shared they need to be encouraged. I agree in our fast-paced world life skills are ignored rather than encouraged. Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts Narasinh