Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda: I Would Have Taught More Economics Class At Home

Back in the Dark Ages when I was in Junior High, all girls were required to take a year-long course entitled “Home Economics.” The girls learned to cook and sew while the boys took “Shop.” By the time my children were in middle school, these courses had combined into a co-ed course called “Family Living.” Had I realized the education my children weren’t getting, I would have introduced old-school Home Ec at home.

I should have started with Cooking 101. As toddlers, they could have helped prepare meals by adding ingredients in a recipe and by washing fruits and vegetables. We could have learned about healthy eating and meal planning as we worked together in the kitchen. By helping to prepare family meals, they might have been more inclined to try new foods.

As they grew, my children would become more involved and learned to use all those fancy kitchen appliances like manual potato peelers and mashers. They would have become proficient with mixers and blenders. They would have learned the difference between bake, broil, and boil. We would have purchased children’s cookbooks and they could have prepared their own dishes. They could have become more aware of the foods they ate and the effects on their bodies. They would have another avenue for creativity by inventing new recipes and sharing them.

I would have included Table Setting 101 and taught the proper way of setting a table and placing utensils. My children would have learned how to cut and serve cakes and Thanksgiving turkeys. They would have learned napkin placement from on the table to on their laps to on their mouths.

Sewing 101 would have started when they were toddlers by simply stacking rings on a cone to learn the concept of lacing. They would learn to string spools and macaroni on shoestrings to learn how to thread a needle. Later, they would practice on lacing cards, then complete projects like sit-upons. They could complete simple cross-stitch patterns. Finally, they would learn to sew on a button, patch a hem, repair a tear, and darn a sock. For Home Ec graduation, they should have received their own sewing basket.

They would learn to use a sewing machine by sewing simple seams and making bags that could be used for shopping. They could choose patterns and actually make clothing, costumes, or toys. We would have made family quilts and quilts to share with others. They could have used their sewing skills to express themselves to others.

Cooking and sewing were activities my generation grew up knowing how to do. I thought my children would learn the same way I did. But sometimes the basic skills of life have to be taught at home to make time in school for the more complex tasks. By teaching our children these home skills, we have the opportunity to pass along what we know with those we love. By learning together, not only do we pass along life-long lessons, but we also create long-long memories.

About the Author:

Luanne Davidson is the proud mother of three adult children and wonders what might have been if she had done a thing or two differently. She writes her “Coulda, Woudla, Shoulda” column each Thursday.