Life Skills book recommendation for those with kids

[katfco]

I just bought DD a book that just came out called "How to be a person" and it's wonderful. It has 65 basic life skills that kids need to learn, from how to engage someone in conversation to how to do laundry. It doesn't go into a super lot of detail (most are broken down into 3-6 steps), but it's really kid-friendly. 

DD is turning 13 in a week and has spent the last couple of hours reading it--including how to roast a chicken--and DS even read my copy and swept the floor. I've been trying to teach him to do that  for the last 3 months, and it always ends in him whining and/or crying, but this time, he read the page, and did it all by himself. 

I just wanted to throw it out there for anyone who has kids like mine who act like basic housework is akin to rocket science. 

note: she also has a part in the introduction inviting those who have various challenges to share with her their methods so she can improve on the book in the future. 

[soccermama]

Um yes, this sounds like a book we need in our household like.....yesterday. Thanks for the rec, I will be looking at ordering this!

[katfco]

May 27, 2020 13:55:27 GMT -5 lucybrown said:

DD is almost 9. Do you think this would be too advanced for her? I think she'd like it. She learns so much more from reading than my nagging. Shocking, I know.

not at all; DS just turned 8. 

[flygirl]

It’s on its way to my house! Thank you for the suggestion

[krystee]

Pretty sure I might need this..for my 37-year-old self.

[brooklyn]

I walked into this thread thinking it would be a good book for my 7 year old. Um, I can’t roast a chicken either, so maybe I’ll read it first. 🤣

[imojoebunny]

I assigned my 13 year old to load the dishwasher at the beginning of quarantine. She loaded the glasses up right, so they all came out full of water. Clearly, I need this book. To be fair, she is generally helpful, and has a fair amount of chores, I had just never ask her to do this particular one. I do find my 11 year old does much better with task, when the steps are written out, rather than spoken.

[court26]

Sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[katfco]

My favorite part so far:
"How to fold a fitted sheet
Just kidding. Wad it up like a normal person."

[nicolewi]

This sounds awesome!

[candreco]

I preordered after seeing a preview in Real Simple, I can't wait for it to get here tomorrow!

[isabel]

Does it have things in it that would be appropriate for a 5 year old? I feel like he can sweep the floor, so maybe. It might be fun to pick a new chore each day so he can learn a new skill. He might actually enjoy that.

I struggle so much with determining age appropriate chores.

[katfco]

May 27, 2020 20:14:18 GMT -5 isabel said:

Does it have things in it that would be appropriate for a 5 year old? I feel like he can sweep the floor, so maybe. It might be fun to pick a new chore each day so he can learn a new skill. He might actually enjoy that.

I struggle so much with determining age appropriate chores.

Although it has illustrations, it is reliant on reading. Barring that, yes. It talks about how to load a dishwasher--DS learned how to load and unload silverware a couple of years ago. Wiping and setting the table are in there.

But it also talks about how to apologize, how to be a good guest and how to be a good host (like introduce your friend to your parent and offer a snack). 

[ellipses84]

Love this rec! My son loves to read and does quite a few chores, but not that well. Maybe detailed instructions would help more than mommy’s suggestions for improvement.

I really need to get one of those hygiene /self care books too. I grew up in a house of girls where we were pushed to be independent at an early age and my sons and nephews are reaching ages where they need to be doing more for themselves without nagging.

[readyin07]

May 27, 2020 16:56:33 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

I assigned my 13 year old to load the dishwasher at the beginning of quarantine. She loaded the glasses up right, so they all came out full of water. Clearly, I need this book. To be fair, she is generally helpful, and has a fair amount of chores, I had just never ask her to do this particular one. I do find my 11 year old does much better with task, when the steps are written out, rather than spoken.

I laughed so hard at this lol. It reminds me of the time when I let my 10 yo microwave something and he accidentally put in aluminum foil. He knew not to put in metal utensils, but didn't realize that aluminum counted. Thankfully I was standing right there and heard it and got it turned off before it could do much damage besides a teeny tiny burn :/ 

Oh and here's another one about me and my H -- which is even funnier because we were just out of college. First of all, in my defense,  when I was growing up my parents had a dishwasher, but never really used it except for holidays and parties because they said it was just 3 of us and took too long to fill (still don't use it much to this day, which is annoying when they host my big family for dinner and I"m handwashing every plate, but I digress...). We also didn't have a dishwasher in college. So my then BF now H was in town staying with us and my parents went out and I made a nice dinner and decided it would be easier to use the dishwasher. So we loaded up all the dishes and cookware, filled the dishwasher, started it and left to...probably do who knows what in my room lol. We came out and the dishwasher was overflowing with bubbles all throughout the kitchen. We had used actual dish soap instead of dishwashing detergent. I had to call my mom and be like OMG WTF lol. 

[readyin07]

May 27, 2020 13:52:05 GMT -5 katfco said:

I just bought DD a book that just came out called "How to be a person" and it's wonderful. It has 65 basic life skills that kids need to learn, from how to engage someone in conversation to how to do laundry. It doesn't go into a super lot of detail (most are broken down into 3-6 steps), but it's really kid-friendly. 

DD is turning 13 in a week and has spent the last couple of hours reading it--including how to roast a chicken--and DS even read my copy and swept the floor. I've been trying to teach him to do that  for the last 3 months, and it always ends in him whining and/or crying, but this time, he read the page, and did it all by himself. 

I just wanted to throw it out there for anyone who has kids like mine who act like basic housework is akin to rocket science. 

note: she also has a part in the introduction inviting those who have various challenges to share with her their methods so she can improve on the book in the future. 

It's so funny, I read this whole thing and my mom just told me she bought it for my 5th grader.

[jezebel]

I wish I’d had this book! My mom is too much of a control freak to have taught me life skills, because she would have rather just done everything herself. So, I didn’t know how to do a lot of basic things until I was... too old. My first time living by myself was a disaster.

[eb777888]

Definitely getting this book! David’s chores are emptying the dishwasher, feeding the dog and taking out the trash/recycling. We build on it a little every year. I know he’s capable of more. I was cleaning my whole house and cooking my own meals while my mom was at work when I was his age! I forget sometimes the little things I need to be teaching him. Thanks for the rec!

[picksthemusic]

I love this! I got one for DD (8). She's been wanting to be more helpful around the house lately (wanting to wash the dishes, sweeping/mopping, dusting, and yesterday she cleaned the outdoor glass top table!), so this is perfect.

It also led me down the path for CBT and anxiety books that seem great for her too, so yay!