I am 55 and have never worn a tie much less knotted one.I taught my son how to ride a bike when he was seven or eight. The process took all of 15 minutes. He's been skiing since he was 18 months old. We had him as a proficient swimmer by nine (as that took two years).
At thirteen here are things he doesn't know: how a landline phone works, cursive writing (as he doesn't have a signature yet), addressing an envelope to mail, how to knot a tie, and how to set a table for a meal.
But he's a great cook, could probably change the oil in my car, and knows how sports betting lines work, so there is some good parenting to be had.
Do kids learn things at a later age today (or not at all)?
- Thread starter John105
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I taught myself to ride a bike at 3-4. When we would go over to a cousins house, I'd try to ride an old bike they had. Eventually I succeeded without falling down, and my aunt and uncle gave me that bike. I wore that bike out, it was probably close to worn out when I got it
My parents lived in an area with steep hills, which we used to gain speed before hitting our makeshift jumps to see how far we could jump our bikes. Evel Knievel influenced us kids heavily.
I started riding dirtbikes at age 6. I still ride motorcycles to this day, and it is just about my favorite thing to do.
For me, not having, or knowing how to ride a bike would have meant not being able to play in the street with the rest of the neighborhood kids. Getting my first real bike, a BMX, was a happy time.
I guess that's been replaced nowadays by being on Minecraft, or social media, and hanging out is done via screens.
Had some Toughskins in my wardrobe as well.
I guess that's been replaced nowadays by being on Minecraft, or social media, and hanging out is done via screens.
Had some Toughskins in my wardrobe as well.
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One of our friends, the husband had a stroke and now is fighting to get his license back. For whatever reason, he's been unable to.
Both his girls don't ride a bike, and until a few years ago, his wife didn't drive. She still doesn't drive on highways. This put a lot of pressure on our friend seeing as he has a landscaping business and works long hours. He said it's his fault his girls don't ride a bike. That's how I felt. I don't think it's the end of the world but my point is it's different than when we grew up.
The teenage thing and knowing everything worries me. My buddy's girls are now past 22 and from his description they know everything. I did go through such a phase but I want to say I got serious in life at about 25 when I went to grad school. Suddenly I cared tremendously about my grades and learning. High school was a cake walk, and college I didn't care that much although it was exponentially harder to get by than high school. I do wish I had kept the pedal on the gas.
One thing I mentioned to my buddy, if I go to the gym and it's pouring, I have an umbrella, as do others my age. But younger folks simply get wet and I don't understand that. The other thing I notice is younger people don't seem to hold the door for someone behind them. They often just let it close, whereas older people wait
Same here. I was forced to take swimming lessons as a kid, (two or three years in a row) but it was tough because we got no practice at all in-between lessons (we didn't have a pool nor did anyone else we knew). Eventually I got the hang of it well enough I didn't have to take any more lessons, but I haven't even been near a pool since then. No interest! I still remember all the other kids laughing about peeing in the pool; I don't think they were kidding.
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My bro doesn't swim and when I asked him about it, he closed up, so not sure what happened. My dad was an expert swimmer and diver, yet never taught me. I only this year asked my mom if she remembers how I learned to swim, and she does not.
No joke. I remember getting foot fungus as an elementary school kid and needing a prescription ointment. That had to be from swimming and I even think it was the Y. But I have no proof nor can my mom remember. My bro is 10 years younger so his upbringing was totally different than mine.
Oh, this guy Dave we know. He had a party years ago, and he said kids, listen up--nobody is allowed to pee in the pool. I thought it was strange to say that lol
My kids learned to bike pretty early and they all can swim. Two older ones used to skate when we lived in Canada, two youngest never got a chance since we moved to CA when they were very young.
So it’s not “today vs yesteryears”, it’s all about parent involvement.
So it’s not “today vs yesteryears”, it’s all about parent involvement.
My son is now 13, and is helping get his first car road worthy, as he can start driving it to school at 14 here in IA. He learned to ride a bike at age 4, and does the hardest mountain bike trails I can find with me...nailing almost everything I can do. He has done 50 miles in a day on his bike. He fishes more than I do...and has caught a bigger bass than I have. Our schedule tonight is for me to help him with his 3D printer, as he is having some sort of issue with it.
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Our 4 year old has his own 16" bike, with training wheels still, but he has his own. Our 2, going on 3 in a week, has her own tricycles and bikes as well. They can also both put on and buckle their helmets on their own when they ride. Not learning how to ride a bike until 10 is unheard of here.
On a similar note, our son had one of these pretty much as soon as he was old enough to walk...he used to FLY around on that thing.
I don't see many kids getting their hands dirty. Good for him! Nice Mini. Nothing serious, I hope?
My grandpa was the one who got me started on many life skills. While I was growing up I spent several weeks with him every year. He was a polymath, scholar, avid outdoorsman, and an enigma. He taught me so much. Even when I was already in my 40s I often picked his brains. He had an indomitable mind even in his 90s. I miss him every day.
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New valve cover gasket, new oil pan gasket, new plugs, clean MAF, new O2 sensors...general check up.
It’s been a mixed bag in my house.
The Good: My kids all learned to swim early. They learned to ride bikes early but not be me - the kid down the street taught the oldest around 5 and then he taught the middle and the middle taught the youngest. My oldest is a great downhill mountain biker (pretty sure I’m going to die every time I go with him) and skier and by age 12 he was doing 20’ high 360s and by 14 full back flips. We’ve threatened the other two with lessons or to go out with their big brother and they simply had no interest. The two oldest got their drivers licenses about as quickly as you can in MA. Interestingly, I never took them fishing (I don’t like fishing) and the oldest and youngest, independent of each other, both found fishing with their friends this summer. I’ve shown the oldest two how to change the oil on a car and the oldest took automotive as their elective in high school so he knows his way around a bit. I’ve shown my kids how to lift properly and safely in the garage gym and my middle son is a beast and the youngest is on his way. Oldest is a skier, the middle a fantastic drummer and guitar player, and the youngest is big into sports like basketball and football - he’s 14 and 6’2” and about 190lbs just starting 9th grade today.
The Bad: My sophomore in college couldn’t figure out how to take the doors of the hinge this weekend so we could move a couch into his apartment. I was already annoyed because I was assured 10x the couch would fit as is and it didn’t, so I guess I’ll add he doesn’t know how to use a tape measure either. I’m not the handiest person in the world around the house, mostly because I’m busy and I don’t care, and this clearly transferred to my kids. Although when pressed he said he was just hoping for the best. I did not want to miss the teachable moment and I replied when it’s someone else’s time, money, and/or effort then you need to plan for the worst and hope for the best, not just hope for the best.
My overall assessment is maybe not as capable as I was at their age but they have the basics down and a pretty normal childhood that involves being outside, they all have a core group of good friends, they all have figured out dating, pretty normal kids.
The Good: My kids all learned to swim early. They learned to ride bikes early but not be me - the kid down the street taught the oldest around 5 and then he taught the middle and the middle taught the youngest. My oldest is a great downhill mountain biker (pretty sure I’m going to die every time I go with him) and skier and by age 12 he was doing 20’ high 360s and by 14 full back flips. We’ve threatened the other two with lessons or to go out with their big brother and they simply had no interest. The two oldest got their drivers licenses about as quickly as you can in MA. Interestingly, I never took them fishing (I don’t like fishing) and the oldest and youngest, independent of each other, both found fishing with their friends this summer. I’ve shown the oldest two how to change the oil on a car and the oldest took automotive as their elective in high school so he knows his way around a bit. I’ve shown my kids how to lift properly and safely in the garage gym and my middle son is a beast and the youngest is on his way. Oldest is a skier, the middle a fantastic drummer and guitar player, and the youngest is big into sports like basketball and football - he’s 14 and 6’2” and about 190lbs just starting 9th grade today.
The Bad: My sophomore in college couldn’t figure out how to take the doors of the hinge this weekend so we could move a couch into his apartment. I was already annoyed because I was assured 10x the couch would fit as is and it didn’t, so I guess I’ll add he doesn’t know how to use a tape measure either. I’m not the handiest person in the world around the house, mostly because I’m busy and I don’t care, and this clearly transferred to my kids. Although when pressed he said he was just hoping for the best. I did not want to miss the teachable moment and I replied when it’s someone else’s time, money, and/or effort then you need to plan for the worst and hope for the best, not just hope for the best.
My overall assessment is maybe not as capable as I was at their age but they have the basics down and a pretty normal childhood that involves being outside, they all have a core group of good friends, they all have figured out dating, pretty normal kids.
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