Parenting Stack Exchange
Parenting Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [life-skills]

18 questions
28
votes
14 answers

How to teach a child to swallow pills?

All my kids are bad at swallowing pills. For whatever reason, it doesn't go to the back of the mouth easily for straightforward swallowing. This is particularly problematic for the oldest (now 10), who has bad seasonal allergies and needs to take…
Acire
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15
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4 answers

When should a child begin to learn knife skills for use in the Kitchen?

Helping in the kitchen is something my child thoroughly enjoys. Now that she is in elementary she has a handle on most of the "safe" kitchen skills from kneading dough to reading a recipe and even measuring out ingredients after doubling or halving…
balanced mama
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8
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1 answer

Why is it so hard teaching your own children and how to improve the process?

I have two children, 6 and 9 years old. I find it very hard to teach them skills or school subjects and I wonder if there are any tricks or methods to it? It seems my children are much more eager to learn if it's an outsider teaching them. When I or…
gregopet
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8
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7 answers

I want to dropout of HS yet my dad is mad at my decision

I'm a 16 year old teenager growing up in Texas. My dad was (up until now) a really good dad. We used to do stuff together, but that has changed in the last couple of years or so. I don't have a good outlook on school. I see it as a somewhat…
Damien Bochkarev
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8
votes
3 answers

How can I teach my kids how to shop for groceries effectively?

I want to teach my kids how to cook because I think it's a generally useful life skill. In addition to working in the kitchen and actually preparing dishes, how can I get them more involved in the ingredient acquisition process? Currently their…
Acire
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7
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3 answers

Parental "Wow" as a reaction to trivial child achievements

The question is based on my personal feelings, so is probably biased and subjective. I frequently see parents (and remember my own) encouraging their children on every trivial or regular achievement by saying a big "WOW" (and making huge eyes) for…
Ilan
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7
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2 answers

What are healthy ways to help my 7-year-old in developing a thicker skin?

I have an amazing 7-year-old daughter who is unbelievably empathetic. Which, allows her to be a good friend, wonderful daughter and just a loving soul all around. However, her emotions can also be very intense and along with the empathy a high…
balanced mama
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4 answers

Does teaching my daughter programming give them the same benefits as when I learned electronics as a child?

I grew up doing electronics, radio, and soldering kits with my Dad. Later I did programming. (This was during the 80's - during a time when hobbyist electronics was extremely popular.) Now (2017) hobbyist electronics isn't really as popular. Kids…
hawkeye
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5
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2 answers

What kinds of Household skills can be expected at what ages?

In asking a question about teaching knife skills, I realized I'd never seen a question about chores and household skills and what is appropriate when on Parenting SE. I did find this question in regard to preschool abilities, but found nothing…
balanced mama
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2 answers

How to help my antagonistic 10-year-old learn necessary skills when he doesn't want to participate in any classes?

My 10-year-old son is in grade four. He doesn't like to participate in any classes. To him doing practice sounds unnecessary and boring and he likes to have all skills on his own. He is active and he loves to dance and play music, but he wants to…
K.P
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4
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2 answers

Teaching responsibility/thoroughness *AND* life balance

My wife and I have a 16 week old, and it's definitely a bit early for it to matter, but we were discussing recently how we find the balance between teach/setting a good example of being thorough and taking pride in your work (e.g. cleaning up the…
Pete
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2 answers

Is this a good game to play with my children?

I have a game with my children that I wear a necktie, trousers and boxing gloves to look formal and we do a friendly, gentle boxing match. My 3 children are 10 years old and they love this game. I fight them very gently and I let them hit me, when I…
Joe
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3
votes
2 answers

Kid genius help

I am the legal guardian of a kid, after his/her parents were found incapable of taking care of him. Okay from day 1, I saw that he/she couldnt make any friends and knew things normall a 6 year old shouldn’t know. I have a degree in chemistry and I…
Mrs Chemistry
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3
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2 answers

How can I reduce back pain from lifting or holding my child for too long?

I have a 2-year-old son and he is bit heavy. For some months, whenever I carry or lift him, I feel severe back pain. I've found many sources that claim that this is normal. My doctor also says that this happens normally. Are there ways to carry a…
Vinod Tigadi
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3
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4 answers

Is it a parent's responsibility to remember their 6 year-old child's coat as they leave their home to go to school?

Is it the 6 year-old's responsibility to remember their coat before going to school, or is their parent's responsibility?
Barbara
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