Nanny to Mommy

As parents, we only want the best for our children. We hope that they will have access to great opportunities to develop skills that will benefit them in adulthood. It can sometimes be difficult to instill practicality in our kids, as we’re busy enough just trying to keep them happy and healthy. But that doesn’t mean it is something to be pushed aside. Whenever an opportunity arises for them to master something new that will come in handy, try to get them involved. You can do this with daily tasks that you are undertaking yourself, such as the following:

A life skill that will stand them in good stead for years to come, teaching your kids how to cook will give you peace of mind when they fly the nest. If you create a recipe box together with their favorite dishes, you can then work from this, developing your dishes as you go along. You never know, if your child shows talent in the kitchen, there could be a future career in it for them. Of course, with this and all of the tasks listed, ensure you only get them involved with age-appropriate tasks, to ensure that they don’t put themselves in danger of any harm from equipment. Ready, steady, cook!

If you’re doing a spot of DIY at home, why not get the kids involved? You can go through the instructions with them, see what needs doing, and then put the steps into action with them. This shows them how things are put together and how things work, which can open their mind. In the end, when you have completed your creation, you’ll both feel a shared sense of pride, which makes it all the more worthwhile. Teamwork makes the dream work!

Although cleaning isn’t many people’s idea of fun, it’s necessary to maintain a household. There are ways you can make it more appealing to your kids, by turning it into a game with a reward system. If you try to teach them that cleaning is just a part of daily life, by getting them into the habit, they won’t be so put off by it. It’ll just come naturally. You can give them a gold star sticker each time they wash up their dishes after they finish, or whenever they tidy up after themselves, depending on how old they are.

Money management is something that every adult should have a grasp on, but if they’re not taught it early in life, it can be difficult for them to develop it when the time comes that they need it. If you give your kids a small weekly allowance and teach them that if they want a more expensive toy or game, that they will need to save up, then they will realize the value of money, as well as patience. You can further award them with monetary prizes when they help you with other tasks around the house if you see fit to. Teaching your kids practical skills doesn’t have to be a chore for you or them. If you gently encourage them to get involved with you when you’re completing tasks, they’re likely to be happy to help. They’ll love to see their skills strengthen, and it’s all the more special because you’ve taught them. It’s a lovely way for you to bond, as you’re also helping them to learn things that could come in handy in their future.