First, read it through in its entirety. This will help you to develop an overview of life skills, refresh your memory about skills you may not even be conscious of anymore, and give you some ideas about what your children need to know. Choose the area in which your child needs the most work. Do not expect your child to master all areas at the same time. Imagine if someone expected you to correct all your faults overnight! You would be resentful and resistant to change. Likewise, children can only be expected to focus on one major area at a time. For our family, sharing the load of household chores came first. We spent many months working on this area before moving onto another.

               Then, proceed through the needed skill areas, focusing on each for at least a month. The following chart gives a brief summary of each of the building blocks, or what I call Maxims of Maturity. As the children mature, repeat the areas each year with increasing complexity. This year for teaching money skills you might simply make the goal of having your child identify coins and use a piggy bank. Next year she can begin to save for larger goals and consistently tithe her money. An even older child could work out an entire budget and do his own banking. The skills will grow as your children grow.

                Of course, for different families the choice of skill areas and the order and activities will vary. There is not enough time to teach our children everything they will need to know. We must focus on the best pursuits for the individuals we have been given to love and care for and prepare for adulthood. What will make them feel competent in the world? What will help them become the people God has given them the potential to become?

               When you have established some goals that fit your family, delve in and enjoy yourselves!

My Comment:  When it comes to training children think of a technology tree.  You have probably seen one in certain games you have played.  Just like in the game, real life does not allow for shortcuts to learn what we need to survive.  I have found that if you don’t master the basics, then you will struggle with all that is dependent upon that skill.  It takes time so, be patient and persistent because then, learning explosives will be as difficult as learning horseback riding. 

Life Skills For Kids: Equipping Your Child For The Real World

by Christine M. Field

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. ~ 3 John 4

Dad