Housework IS learning

There was a thread on FaceBook from HipHomeschoolMoms regarding having kids do chores instead of school

Mostly this type of thing doesn't effect us, as every day is both a school day (a day for learning) and a day to get housework done.

But it brought up two ideas.  One isn't learning how to take care of oneself and a house more universally useful than algebra?  After all you can get someone fairly cheaply once a year to do your taxes, and you can use a calculator for most home finances.  Yet having someone come and clean or cook for you is fairly expensive.

If I had the drive or motivation I would go research just how much of the economy is driven by self help books on cleaning, cleaning services, and organization help.  I imagine a great deal more adult money goes into 'remedial home ec' than will ever need to be spent on adult math education.  (not talking college here, refering to an adult with a career who has to go back and get help to give up the calculator)

I might also look into comparing the money spent on adult writing classes (again not meaning college)  Flylady makes her whole buisness on helping folk figure out how to manage a house.

The only position where not teaching a kid home ec makes sense is if you are certain their future job will enable them to afford a maid, chef, and repairmen as needed.


Now don't get me wrong, it doesn't take much longer to learn to cook than it does to learn to read.  Basically learn the simple terms (saute, means cook over high heat in a bit of fat) basic nutrition (saute beats deep fry, EVOO is better than margarine) and then a willingness to experiment, or google recipes.  After that it is just like reading, show them how and get out of the way.  (but stay close enough to answer questions as needed).

Ok so all that is very important, but the other idea is more fun.  Learning academics through chores.  Chores are so basic, just about all of them beyond cooking invlve such repetition that even a kid can handle adding something fun without ruining the work.

Unfortunately I have to go get some of those repetative chores done, but I promise tomorrow a cute story on Baby Girl learning from laundry.