Life Skills for Boys

From Life Take 1

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I have been looking everywhere for a list of things every man should know when he leaves his parents home. I have found nothing. I have found plenty on things little girls should know but nothing about boys. So.... with the help of my husband, some homeschool friends, and with my own boys as guinea pigs ... I am determined to make my own list. This is a work in progress obviously and I will need all of your help. PLEASE ... if you think of anything to add, email me. I will be trying to divide the list first into catergories and then by age and/or grade ranges. Maybe even through in a few ideas on how to implement all of this ... who knows we will see how it will develop. Maybe it will even turn into a book someday. Whatever God has in store ... will be perfect for me! And so not to exclude anyone ... these ideas could also be used for little girls as well.


General Resources
There are quite a few books available written about boys but nothing has what I am looking for exactly as I stated before. However, there are a few resources that are great at teaching life skills aimed at both genders. I have listed these below. These books cover multiple areas. For books on a particular subject ... please look under the appropriate heading.

For Use With The Kids:
Life Skills for Kids: Equipping Your Child For The Real World by Christine Field
Plants Grow Up
Contenders of Faith
Man in Demand
Christian Manhood
Preparing For Every Man's Battle


For The Parents:
Raising A Modern Day Knight
Books For Boys
Bringing Up Boys
Future Men
Boyhood and Beyond
Preparing Sons o Provide for a Single-Income Family by Steven Maxwell


C hores

18 months - PK:
Help with picking up
Imitate cleaning in play
Can put things in trash when asked
Can bring things to you when asked
Cooperates with directions given
Helps make the bed by placing pillow and stuffed animals on bed after it is made
Helps put dirty laundry in the laundry basket


PK-K:
Pick up toys and belongs; put in proper places
Put Away Laundry Piles
Sort Laundry
Help younger siblings
Help mom or dad upon request
Put plate and cup on counter near sink
Set the table
Turns off lights when leaving a room


1st-3rd grade:
Carry laundry and have it remain folded correct to the rooms it goes in
Fold laundry
Unload the dishwasher
Make Bed independently
Feeds pets
Empty small trash can
Help bring in groceries
Vaccuum
Dust
Knows address, phone number, and full name
Know full names of parents and siblings
Street Safety
Knows to look both ways before crossing street (Stop, Look, and Listen rule)
Knows to always cross in the crosswalk or at a corner
Knows what the meaning of stop lights are (and each color)
Knows what a stop sign is


4th-6th grade:
Load the dish washer/wash dishes
Start a load of laundry and complete it ... to where everything is put away neatly
Clear table and put away left overs, etc.
Empty trash cans
Put away grocerries without help
Wash Windows
Clean bathroom counters and sink
Clean Microwave
Sweep Tile (or vacuum it like I do)
Answering Door


7th grade - adult:
Clean entire bathroom
Mop floors
Clean oven
Clean Refrigerator
Defrost Freezer
Handling Solictors
Important Papers
what are they
how to keep them safe (filing in a fire safe box)
Knows what to use to clean any surface in the home, where to purchase it, and how to clean that surface without any outside help from mom or dad
Able to see what needs to be done and does it on his own


Manners
18 months - PK:
Says Please
Says Thank you
Says Your Welcome
Sits or Stands quietly during a short family prayer time
Says Excuse me
Waits to start eating until after a prayer has been said
Resource: Boys First Book of Manners


PK-K:
Says yes/no ma'am/sir
Says God Bless you for sneezes and coughs
Open some doors for mom and sisters (depends on weight of door)
Child learns not to interrupt
Child answers phone with "------- residence. Please hold." and nothing else even if it is Dad or Grandma on the other line. You never know if he is mistaking a voice or not. How many times have you made that same mistake even as an adult?
Resource: Everyday Graces


1st-3rd grade:
Can answer phone and take messages when needed
Holds doors for elderly, woman, when someone needs help
Offers assistance when appropriate
Resource: Little Book of Manners for Boys
Treats others with Respect at all times


Self-Care
18 months - PK:
Washes hands with help
Tend to potty needs with help
Requires help dressing self
Requires help brushing teeth


PK-K:
Washes hands alone
Tends to potty needs alone
Brushes Teeth alone
Some assistance needed with bathing but beginning to do it on own
Brushes hair with minimal assistance
Sex Education
Resource: The Story of Me (God's Design For Sex Series)
Knows that he is a boy
Knows differences between boys and girls, moms and dads
Stranger Danger
Knows what a stranger is
Knows who to go to for helps
Knows what to do if seperated from parents


1st-3rd grade:
Sex Education
Resource: Before I was Born (God's Design For Sex Series)
What is an Emergency
Introduce the topic of drugs and alcohol
what is peer pressure
how to say no
smoking
Living a Healthy life style
proper nutrition
exercise
how to handle stress properly


4-6th grade:
How to tie a tie
Cleaning up vomit
deodrant and cologne
Sex Education
Resource: What's The Big Deal (God's Design For Sex Series)
CPR
Knows how to purchase own clothing and shoes
shopping on a budget
purchasing what you need first then what you want
finding out if you can afford your wants
knowing your sizes
how to tell if things fit properly


7th-adult:
How to shave
Sex Education
Resource: Facing the Facts (God's Design For Sex Series) -- to be done around 7th grade or so.
what is a menstrual cycle -- uncomfortable, why the blood, no deroggatory remarks
caring for an illness
Routine Medical Care
how to talk with medical professionals
explaining the problem
When to go the doctor
importance of yearly exams
family medical history
Refresher course on CPR for all age groups; get a card
how to trim hair
making sure side burns are even
how to get a haircut
comparing costs
describing what you want
where to go


Matters of Self-Control
Sexually and otherwise ... (I think you all know what I mean here and some of the resources at the top helps you prepare your little man for this as he grows. Now we are expecting him to do this on his own. All the time.)
Basics to work on through out:
Basic first aid
Administers medication to others
Visit the following websites for specific information
http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/firstaidandselfcare/index.cfm
http://www.parasolemt.com.au/Manual/
http://www.healthy.net/clinic/firstaid/
Creating a First Aid Kit
Visit the following websites for list of supplies
http://www.tundraco.com/dlhkit.html
http://expage.com/page/firstaidkit
Disaster/Emergency Preparations
visit the following sites for specific information:
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/
http://www.fema.gov/rrr/prep2.shtm
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0%2C1082%2C0_601_%2C00.html
http://www.disasterrelief.org/Library/Prepare/
Take an Emergency Management Course at your local College

Cooking
PK-K:
How to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
How to pour himself a drink
Assists with baking

Other:
baking bread
cooking a meal
proper nutrition
the food pyramid
using the microwave
using the oven
using the stove
using other kitchen appliances
chopping veggies
slicing fruit
grating cheese
how to follow a recipe
food safety during preparations
meat temperatures for safe cooking
Get a food handlers card
how to make coffee, tea, hot cocoa
How to handle knives
How to sharpen Knives
Hot Oil Safety
What to do if there is a....
grease fire
electrical fire
general fire
use of a fire estingquisher


Cars Repair and Maintenance
PK-K:
Resource: How Our Car Works by Larry Burkett
1st - 3rd grade:
Learning the names for various parts of the car


Other:
Changing the Oil
Fixing a Flat Tire
Changing the Wiper Blades
Filling Brake Fluid
Filling Transmission Fluid
Maintenance Checks
Putting on Snow Chains
De-Icing a Windshield
Wash a car
Wax a car
Detail a car
Change the spark plugs
Change the oil filter
Change the air filter
Putting air in the tires
Checking the tire pressure
Filling the window washer fluid
tightening belts
fixing the breaks
learning the parts to a car
changing a fuse
changing a light bulb
putting on the tags
vehicle registration
getting insurance
driver's education
defensive driving course
learning to drive a stick and an automatic
How to stabalize a car and use a jack
how to put gas in a car
How to get estimates for work that needs to be done
for your car
for your home
Purchasing car parts
comparing prices
where to go
What to do when your car breaks down
on a freeway
in the middle of the street
in the middle of no where
in an emergency
How to tell when something is wrong with the car
gauges indicating there is a problem
smoking
strange noises
What to do when your car overheats


Home Repair and Maintenance
PK-K:
Visit Home Improvement Store and become familiar with the various sections and types of things they carry
Plant a garden, learn to care for it with assistance
Pull weeds with assistance
Water with assistance
How to clean up spills
Resource: How Our House Works by Larry Burkett


1st - 3rd Grade:
raking leaves
Cleaning deck furniture
Shoveling Snow
Sweeping sidewalks
Using phone functions (caller id, speeding dialing, ....)
How to Climb a Ladder Safely
bug killing
recognizes non-posions bugs
able to step on them or squish them with a paper towel and throw them in the trash
Hosing off sidewalks
Proper care of tools
Proper use of tools
hammer
pliers
screw drivers (phillips, flathead)
sockets
wrenches
hand saws
power tools
kinds
use
care
drills
mounts
bits
tape measure
safety equipment
dust mask or respirator
leather gloves
goggles
hard hat
steel-toed boots
learn about various trades and equipment used


4th -6th Grade:
Cleaning the bar-b-que
Grocery Shopping
how to pick fresh produce
checking for expiration dates
comparing prices (price per unit)
Furniture Care
oiling wood
oiling leather
flipping mattress
hiring companies to clean
drapes
couches
other items
Basic Sewing
how to sew on a button
repairing a simple tear
How to Iron
How to Change a light bulb
Painting
touch ups
filling holes
how to mask off
Proper lifting of heavy items
Moving Furniture and other items
Connecting electronics (ie tv, dvd, vcr, stereo)
Getting grease stains out of the garage
When to call a repair man
Proper way to clean up broken glass
Disposing of hazard materials
Building a bird house
Staining or Restaining Furniture


7th Grade - Adult:
pest control (using raid or other products)
Renting Your First Apartment
World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Renting Your First Apartment
mowing the yard
unclogging sinks
Fixing appliances
garbage disposal (reset button)
refrigerator (adjusting temp)
washer
dryer
freezer
fixing leaks
Wall Paper
Hanging Pictures
Cleaning a pool
How to use a weed wacker
How to trim a tree
How to trim a bush
Cleaning gutters
Tune up a lawn mower
How to replace door locks
Basic plumbing
Turning water off at appliance
Turning water off at the main (to the whole house)
Unclogging the toliet
Unclogging the drain
Cleaning the drain
Replacing a u-joint
Unclogging a garbage disposal
Fixing a running toliet
How to Replace a Washer
How to protect pipes from freezing
Fixing a leaking toliet
Basic tile installation
Basic electrical
Turning electricity off to appliance
Circuit Breakers
turning off the main
turning off to various parts of the home
proper labeling
How to repair a drive way
How to add a sidewalk with either brick or concrete
Relocating ~ out of state, in state
Shampoo the Carpet
How to cut firewood
Better Homes & Gardens ...... Making a Home: Housekeeping for Real Life (This book covers more than just cleaning. This is a how-to guide for every aspect of your home from purchasing items including furniture to etiquette and entertaining. From stain removal to organization. A must have for everyone of your children as they prepare to take on the world along. ISBN: 0-696-21203-x)
constructing simple shelves
Assemblying furniture and other items
How to turn the gas off to an appliance
How to turn the gas off to the house
Simple Drywall Repair
Basic Landscaping principles
protect plants from freezing


A Man's Tool Box:
We feel that it is important for every young man to leave home with a well stocked quality tool box. When our sons begin first grade, they each recieved a tool box with his initials clearly on it (so as not confuse with Dads or brothers) and a few tools. The first tools our sons recieved were a level, a tape measure, and safety goggles. Each year, as they learn more about the home and cars ... they will get new tools to add to their collection. Their tools represent things that they have learned to do. Whenever a project is to be done .... each little man gets out his own tools. All tool boxes are located in the garage, where they belong. When our oldest son got his, our little ones felt left out so we bought them aprons at the home improvement store. They were just as thrilled with this and their toy tools as big brother with the tool box. Just a note, Kris got his apron and first set of tools (plasic in a plastic tool box) when he was a year old. These have been a favorite ever since. They also have play hard hats.


Sports
Throwing a ball
Catching a ball
Kicking a ball
Basic Rules for
football
baseball
basketball
hockey
soccer
pool
golf
tennis
volleyball
Swimming
Diving
Rock Climbing
Hiking
Push Ups
Pull Ups
Sit Ups
Arm Wrestling
Olympic sports
Self defense course
Karate
Boxing/Wrestling
Skiing
Snowboarding
Ice Skating
Roller Skating
Lifting Weights
Aerobics
Stretching
Warming up and Cooling Down
Riding a Bike
Playing team sports
Sportsmanship
Being a great loser
Being a humble winner
Dancing
Slow dancing
on a date

Outdoor and Survival Skills
Camping
how to put up a tent
what to pack
where to go
rules for safety
collecting firewood
starting a fire
Bar-b-Que-ing
starting a fire
how to tell when its done
What to do when encountering a wild animal
What to do when lost
What to do during a flood
How to tie a know
Able to identify common plants and animals to the area where you live
Can use a compass
Boiling water for safe drinking
How to plan a trip
budget
map reading
safety percautions
transportation issues
plane, train, car, boat, ....
Home preparations for natural disasters .. ie what to do during a
hurricane
tornado
earth quake
flood
Firearms
how to clean
registering
how to care for
how to use
where to store it
naming various parts
types


Finances
PK-K:
Resource: Lets Go To The Store by Larry Burkett
Resource: Lets Count by Larry Burkett


1st-3rd Grade:
Resource: All About Money by Larry Burkett
How to save money
Resource: Money Matters for Kids by Larry Burkett
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Your First Savings Plan by Larry Burkett (This should be read aloud to your child. They can re-read it on there own later for a refresher course.
Open up a savings account in the child's name


4th - 6th Grade:
Resource: Money Matters for Kids Planner by Larry Burkett


7th grade - Adult:
Resource: Money Matters for Teens Workbook by Larry Burkett
How to purchase a home
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Buying Your First Home by Larry Burkett
How to purchase a car
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Buying Your First Car by Larry Burkett
How to purchase furniture
How to make investments
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Planning Your First Investment by Larry Burkett
The Stock Market
How to balance a check book
How to open a bank account
Tithing
Donating to charities
How to write a check
no SSN number on the check
numbers as words
no empty spaces
your signature
making a budget (and sticking to it!)
Choosing a loan by comparing interest rates
Financial Planning
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Creating Your First Financial Plan by Larry Burkett
Credit Cards
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Getting Your First Credit Card by Larry Burkett
Preparing Tax Forms
Doing it yourself vs. hiring an accountant


Dating
How to buy flowers
How to make dinner reservations
Planning a night out (focusing on things you both like to do or she likes to do ... not just what you want.)
Getting a baby sitter (okay ... this could also be a fatherhood skill but I stuck it here.)
Buying appropriate gifts
Remembering important dates
Conflict Resolution
Abstinence and other options
Sex Education (see self care for specifics)
Personality Types
Basic Psychology
World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Family Relationships by Larry Burkett
Dating Rules


Characteristics of a spouse
How to buy jewelry
Preparing for Fatherhood
How to Change a Diaper
How to Make a bottle
How to pack a diaper bag
How to Give baby a bath
proper temp
what to use
those funny little hooded towels
The cost of little people
planning for their futures (wedding, college)
all those things they need
all those things they want
medical expensenses both before and after the are born
paying for an education (private school, home school, extra-curricular activities)


Job Skills and College
College Admission Applications
Getting Your First Job
World's Easiest Pocket Guide To Finding Your First Full Time Job by Larry Burkett
How to Write a Resume
Job Interviews
what to wear
what to expect
what to say
sending a thank you letter afterwards
Filling out a job application
Internships
Exploring various Careers
Online resume sites
Head Hunters
Time Management Skills
Setting Priorities
Organizational Skills
Computers
Basic Understanding of popular programs ... Microsoft
Word
Excel
Powerpoint
Access
Email Etiquette

Life Lessons From the Kitchen

From Life Take 1
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Everyone has heard of the "Everything I learned in Life, I learned from ...." poem. They are every where and they seem to have one out for everything. Well... I finally found one they missed. I was looking for the one that said "Everything I learned in Life, I Learned from my Kitchen." There isn't one -- so I made one up.

Everything I learned in life I learned from My Kitchen.

• The right tool can make a big difference.
• Mistakes Happen. Throw them out and start over from scratch.
• Practice makes perfect.
• Don't cry over spilled milk.
• Little bits add up to lots of bits.
• Homework is like steak -- rarely done.
• When in doubt -- get your little brother to do it.
• Better safe than sorry.
• Procrastination can ruin a good thing.
• Chicken soup is food for the soul.
• Clean up your own mess.
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
• Hunger makes anything taste good.
• Nothing in life is free .
• Looks don't matter.
• Share with others.
• Sharing the load makes quick work.
• The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
• Junk food is a food group.
• Good Things come to those who wait.
• Laughter is the best medicine.
• Hugs & Kisses (chocolate or otherwise) conquer all.
• A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.
• Always pray before you eat. (and other times as well)
• Manners count.
• A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
• If you drop it, pick it up. If it's empty, fill it. If it's open, close it.
• Eat, drink, and be merry.
• Beggars can't be choosers.
• Just desserts happen sooner or later.
• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
• Half is better than none.
• A few germs never hurt anyone.
• Pay attention! Science experiments are known to sprout on their own in the dark recesses of the fridge.
• Kitchen Memories last forever. (How many of your memories are based upon the smells, sights, and tastes of your childhood?)
• A watched pot never boils (in other words -- have PATIENCE!)

So ... leave me some comments. What are the things that you have learned from your kitchen?

First Aid Lessons

From Life Take 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last week we talked about the importance of knowing First Aid. This week we will talk about the types of Hazards that can be found in the kitchen and how to prevent them. Please share this information with your family and children. I cannot stress enough how important it is to take precautions in all that we do!

Food Poisoning
Bacteria can cause spoilage resulting in food poisoning if food is not maintained at proper temperatures. Be especially careful with raw meat, seafood, and foods containing eggs. To avoid these hazards, set your refrigerator to 40 degrees or less. Defrost foods in the refrigerator not on the counter. Let hot foods cool before storing in the refrigerator. Keep seafood on ice in the refrigerator. Preferably on top of the ice in a colander so the excess fluid will drain away from the food. Wash your hands before cooking. Wash your hands between raw meat and other items. Have 2 different cutting boards available, preferably in two different colors. Have one always be for cutting raw meat and the other for dealing with fresh fruits and vegetables. This will help keep down cross contamination.

Burns
The first rule is to teach your children to be responsible with fire. When they are little, teach them never to play with matches or lighters. As they get older, focus on how to use it safely. Not just in the kitchen but with any fires. AND everyone should know the stop, drop, and roll technique. Practice it often and have an escape plan ready for your home. Every kitchen has potholders to prevent burns when moving around hot objects. BUT did you know that if your potholder is wet or damp ... you will get burned? I never thought of it but it makes sense to me. Remind your children that they should never play with matches or lighters. Teach toddlers to stay away from hot appliances and keep all children out of the kitchen when the stove is on. Never carry hot or boiling water over the head of someone else.

Spills and Falls
There are always preventable accidents that can happen that we must be on the lookout for. In my house, the accidents revolve around toys dragged in and left in the middle of the floor where they should not be. Keeping the floor hazard free is essential. Then there are the spills from the kids, inevitable but still dangerous. Teach the kids from a young age to take care of these themselves. Around 18 months, my boys would simply throw a towel over the spill. It acted like a warning beacon "accident bound to happen if you step here!" Avoid heavy waxing or glazed tiles. Both are problematic. Be especially careful with grease spills. Use flour or salt to soak up the grease, sweep up, then mop.GlassLately, glass utensils have become very popular especially in modern designed kitchen. Do not purchase these! If they are heated improperly they can explode. I am not sure what improperly means but I, for one, do not want to find out! This was a new one to me! Another thing to be weary of, do not set hot glass on something cold. It will break every time.

Gas & Electricity
This is one of those things that I never think about when I am in the kitchen. I rarely think about the safety precautions regarding these items but there are some to remember. Never use appliances around water or the sink. Make sure appliances are in good working order and up to code before plugging in and using. Make sure gas appliances are well ventilated to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home is a great idea. Personally, I believe every home should have at least one if not two or more. Avoid extension cords in the kitchen but if you have to use one make sure it is in good repair and not frayed. Remember not to overload the outlets either.

Chemicals
All kinds of chemicals can be found in a kitchen. Mainly these are used for cleaning and sanitizing purposes. Keep these away from food at all times. You should never use chemicals around food that is uncovered. Also, store them in a temperature-controlled, baby-proof area. If a chemical is swallowed call Poison Control immediately!!! Never mix different types of chemicals together. Propane, cleaning fluids, and other volatiles should never be stored in a kitchen where they could explode due to an accidental fire or high heat. This includes pesticides. Always wash your hands after using chemicals prior to touching your food. If you must store chemicals in the kitchen, store them under food stuffs that way if they leak they will not damage the food. Children should know not to eat or drink anything that a parent has not approved of prior. This includes medicines.

Attention
The number one reason for accidents and injuries in the kitchen is that the person in charge was not paying attention. Avoid using the telephone, computer, or running around doing other things will working in the kitchen. Most fires are started because someone walked away for a moment to do something else. Don't let this happen to you! Teach your children from the beginning that a kitchen deserves their respect, its a responsibility, and it requires all of their concentrated attention to keep accidents and injuries from occurring. Another thing, keep items stored properly. Do not leave knifes and scissors laying out with little ones around. We already discussed the proper storing of chemicals. The more you can do to prevent an accident from happening in your kitchen the better!

After reviewing these rules with your children, try some of these activities:

• Spot the Hazards
• Home Hazard I Spy -- can you find the safety violations in your kitchen?
• Field Trip: Visit your local fire station to learn about fire prevention in the kitchen. What do you do if there is a grease fire? Other types of fires? Basic first aid? What is an emergency that can take place in the kitchen?
• Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Make a family escape plan
• Practice Roll-Playing 911 calls.
  

Now, for most of us, these rules are no brainers. We have all heard them before and know them BUT our children do not. I so often take for granted the "easy stuff" and forget to teach the "first basic steps" before getting into the more complex areas. When we introduce our children to the joys of the kitchen, we need to start with safety first! Have a great SAFE week!