I am a passable sewer—not one of those talented crafty people I’m afraid, but I have always thought of sewing as a very good skill to develop—both by hand and machine and I can stitch up some curtains, re-upholster a foot-stool and embroider a pillow case if the circumstance presents itself. I have hoped that before my three kids leave home they will pick up some basic life skills as well but they are at an age now where I really cannot force and push them to do the things I think they should. So, I was surprised this weekend when my middle daughter asked if I wouldn’t teach her how to use the sewing machine…
Anyone who has parented teens (or remembers being one) knows that a parent trying to teach a teenager something can be a recipe for all sorts of psychology and disaster. I know that it wasn’t until I was an adult that I was able to take direction and information from my own mother with any sort of peace and openness. I was able to learn from just about anyone else EXCEPT my mom. Fortunately, I do remember these strange stresses and try to adjust my “teaching” behaviors to account for those natural tensions and divisions.
It went quite well. Since she had requested the instruction, she felt like she was in control and it was on her terms. My biggest struggles were in trying to teach something that I was used to just doing automatically (it’s like giving directions to your house—sometimes you don’t know the exact street names or distances since you are so used to just driving it on auto-pilot). I didn’t feel personally vested in the outcome so I was able to loosen up and let her learn and experience at her own pace. AND, now I feel like at least one more of my children is developing another one of those basic life skills that I had hoped to pass on before they flew the nest!
Also: Playing Computer and Video Games Together
Older Kids Need to Hear You’re Proud of Them Too