What Did Your Parents Teach You?

they taught me morals, respect, being polite, manners

My dad he taught me everything I needed to know about cars... before I could get my licence. He taught me how to "properly" ( in his words) mow a lawn and take care of a garden. He taught me that even real men cry.

My mom taught me how to cook from scratch, clean and do the laundry the correct way. How to make meals go farther, she showed me how to love and respect thier spouse. She also showed me how to fix things up around the house. She would get tired of waiting on dad so her and I would do the repairs together. Sometimes dad would have to come behind and show us what we did wrong... but after a few years we had it mastered! ;)

They both taught me how tough love is sometime the best way... but there is also plenty of affection and fun times to go around, you just need to be open to it. No matter what mistakes I made they showed me how to pick myself up, wipe off my hands and knees and try again knowing they had my back.

My dad taught me compassion, patience and unconditional love.

My mom taught me that pizza gets too hot in the microwave, and to not be prejudice.

Where to begin...how to cook, clean, do laundry, build things, repair things, spot a bargain, mow the lawn, trim hedges, ride a bike, swim, ice skate, roller skate, drive, handle "the truth" (however harsh), appreciate classical music, state my opinion, take responsibility for my actions, apologize, stick up for myself, stick up for others, take on Goliath, ask questions, dig for info, accept nothing at face value, sew, crochet, pour concrete, grow a vegetable garden, tend to plants, open, close and care for an in-ground pool, wash windows, shampoo carpets, wash a kitchen floor (hands and knees), stain the deck, paint sheds, paint doors and trim, and use a power washer.

I wish they taught me more about the inner workings and nuances of higher education, business, personal finance, and relationships but the first three were sort of out of their league and the last one was an area in which they were late bloomers and lucky so they avoided a lot of pitfalls and assumed we all would too.

I think the only practical things that they didn't cover were how to change a tire or jump start a battery (figured those out on my own) and how to use the snow blower and do big homeowner things like prime the oil burner or clean my heating system or clean the chimney. Those we've learned by error.

Looking that this...I've got A LOT to cover with my two oldest in the next 4 years!

I think I learned a great deal of "what not to do" (in terms of right and wrong behavior) by watching my parents dealing with my older siblings, who invested in much riskier behavior - skip school and miss the prom, run away and the police are sent to the party you're at to pick you up, stuff like that. I think I also learned how to not get caught - ;) That's really what I learned from my siblings - and to this day, I'm the goodie-two-shoes of the family.

Since I was an observer and watched the lessons before I was old enough to actually apply them, I "knew" how to use power tools and clean at an early age. I read the grocery ads at 3 (that's what my parents did, so I emulated them). I started sewing at 5 and got my first adult sewing machine at 10 (whereas my siblings got stereos).

I was a real tightwad with my money then too...I knew that if you really wanted something, you saved for it, so I wasn't enticed my dolls and candy every time I went to the store with my mom (too bad that didn't rub off on my son - haha!).

As an adult, I think the DIY aspect has been the most valuable. I built two decks with my dad before I ever got a house of my own. When I got my own house, I took the measurements of the windows and sewed curtains before we moved in (and you bet my dad helped me build my deck). When all our neighbors were paying for hydroseeding and sod for their lawns, we graded and seeded our own lawn, including digging trenches and installing a sprinkler system, saving thousands of dollars in the process and gaining valuable skills in the process.
I am not the cook and cleaner that my mom was (she worked from home as a seamstress and could stay on top of things more than a work-away-from home person like me), but I get along just fine and have taught her a few things along the way.

My parents were too involved with their day-to-day life that taking the time and energy to teach us kids something was unheard of. I also learned by default and was a natural observer. My parents did many things themselves, so I learned how to do a lot by just being around for it.

So specific things, no. I watched how things were done and we were left at our own devices to figure out the rest.

I was shocked however when I was in college with 6 other roommates and realized no one knew how to fix a darned thing, clean, mow, or handle bills.

I learned a ton from my mom, and I'm still learning from her. The most valuable thing I've learned from her is how to interact with people. Everyone loves her, salespeople, people she hires to fix things at her home, everyone she's ever worked with, etc. She taught me how to be polite, but strong. People respect her more than most. People go out of their way to make her happy. Now, people do the same for me. You get so much more from being kind than from being nasty. She also taught me how to clean house, cook, and do laundry.

I didn't grow up with my father around, but we've been close since I was 25 (I'm now 41). As an adult, he has taught me how to add electricity to a workshop in our backyard, fix some plumbing issues, rebuild a porch, and countless other things. He's extremely handy. My husband is very handy, too, so I've learned a lot from him, too.

We live in an old farmhouse that I love, but that constantly needs work. My husband and I involve our boys in all of the work on the house and tractors so that they will know how to take care of their own homes someday. Our oldest cooks all the time, and both boys clean house with us each week. I have also taught my oldest how to pay bills, and talk to both of them all the time about how to manage money responsibly.

This is a great question!

My father taught me Japanese, how to check the oil in the car, and how to drive a tractor. He also taught me strength, a love of literature and family values.

My mother taught me how to write a press release, how to swim, and how to maintain a good front in the worst of times.

They were good teachers. But I hated it when my father tried to teach me how to drive. No patience!

My mother tought me most of what it takes to be an adult - however she did a poor job when it came to money, so did my father for that matter. However I can cook, clean (don't like too), do laundry etc most of these things I had to do myself froma young age esp since I was a product of divorce and a single working mother. So, I felt pretty well prepared for life, around 11 I was even filling out my own forms at the Dr's office.

my parents taught me a lot by interaction. Cooking with my mom, building a tree house with my dad. My mom tried to teach me to sew...it dkdnt stick to well lol.

My mom taught me how to bake a cake.
My dad taught me how to shoot a gun.

My mom taught me lots of cooking, sew and other household skills; lots of things about being a good friend and getting along with others. She is also one who likes to talk so a lot of stuff in school she had already told me when we got to it (especially science for some reason). My dad also taught us how to do some household repairs, car stuff, gardening. My mom especially did not shy away from the tough topics either (sex, drinking, drugs, etc).

My sisters and I all learned to cook basic items for dinner as our mom wasnt home from work until 6pm. I learned at 11yr how to be the 'caretaker' for my 3 younger sisters as that is when our parents divorced and my mom went to work full time. We took over laundry, cooking, mowing lawn, etc. She didnt teach me alot about money but she did tell me to never bounce a check but I think it was maily becasue she worked at the bank and didnt want to be embarrassed if I did so ;). My mom passed away 19yrs ago and and for the longest time after her death I had a hard time admitting what she did and did not teach us. She told us to be nice to everybody and treat everybody as we wanted to be treated but she didnt really teach us about self esteem, self respect, self worth and such. I realized tho later that she didnt possess those things herself as she wasnt taught them by her parents. Some of the BIGGEST things I learned from my mom were what not to do; not because she told me but by watching. Ex:Dont depend on a man for money, dont marry an alcohlic, dont expect a man to change his ways just because he married you. I loved her to pieces tho and wish she was still here as she died way to young at age 53; my age now which kinda freaks me out!

I have no idea what my parents taught me.

While my dad was saying things like 'You can't go out to the barn, it's lighting out!' (Like I'm gonna get struck by lighting in the short walk from the house to the barn), my mom was saying things like 'You don't get to eat until the cows have eaten' (Meaning, I had better get out to the barn and feed those cows rain or shine otherwise I was going to bed hungry).

When my mom caught me coming home after sneaking out, I was in BIG trouble. No tv, no cell phone, no computer, and LOTS of screaming. Then the one and only time that I was brought home by a cop after sneaking out and my dad answered the door (My mom was working the overnight shift at one of her jobs) my dad gave me the first memorable hug of my childhood. He told me that he loved me for the first time that I can remember, and sent me to bed. No punishment.

They definitely needed to coordinate better. Lol

I guess in the end they both taught me how to work hard. My dad was out in the barn from 8am to 2 or 3 in the morning. He wouldn't get lunch till 4 or 5 in the afternoon. Half of the time he went to bed without dinner because he was just too tired. Where the money was concerned, he barely came out ahead. The cost of feed, vet care, barn repairs, etc with the price of milk constantly dropping... It just wasn't worth it. But the farm has been in the family for over 100 years. No way in hell is he selling it.

My mom was always working at least 2 jobs, just to put food on the table. But that didn't stop her from treating us kids every once in a while. We always had clothes that fit. Every year we got new backpacks and new school supplies, even though the ones from the year before were just as good. If we wanted a new toy, we got it.

I don't know if this taught me anything, but they NEVER fought (Mostly because my dad was always in the barn, so my mom didn't have anyone to fight with).

My parent's seemed to focus more on teaching what was moral (according to their church) rather than life skills. There was a lot if focus on not smoking or doing drugs, abstinence from sex, dressing modestly, not swearing, attending church meetings. My mom did great in some areas- I remember a lot of fire safety talks (and re-enactments, lol!), lots about personal safety (remember Safety Kids?!), and they were never shy about discussing sex, which was helpful. They taught my how to waterski, swim and drive a car. I was not taught how to cook or clean, but luckily I picked that up fairly easily. I wish I would have been taught how to sew and how to fix things. I was put in charge of my 4 younger brothers for much of the time, so I was really good at child care (preparing basic meals, changing diapers, baths, keeping calm when someone got hurt) but since I was so busy with the childcare, I was not included in the "manly" arts like mowing lawns, fixing flat tires, etc. I had a boyfriend's father than kindly taught me how to change a flat tire and change the oil, though.

D.,

Most parents "discipline" more than teach discipline. My M. did a little of both. She taught how to conduct ourselves around the family table, how to shop for produce, how to cook, wash our own clothes and recognize certain predators. My dad always encouraged us to be the best we could be.

I think you and I might have been raised by the same parents - are we sisters? I did learn how to do basic cooking by watching - not by being taught. I learned good work ethic by observing my parents so I guess that's a plus. I sometimes get in a funk over how much my parents didn't even pay attention to me - boo hoo. I can honestly say I don't think I ever had anything that could be considered a heart to heart talk with either of them.

Luckily, I have two sisters and we've tried to fill in the gaps for the lack of emotional support from my parents. I've had some therapy, it helped a little.

my parents taught me a lot of self-sufficiency, relying on myself for amusement, family dynamics, humor, book addiction and fierce love.
neither of them were much into practicalities, which certainly showed up in my errant young adulthood.
it worked out okay in the long run.
but the ol' man and i are trying to give our boys the warm fuzzies AND the cool practicalities. i suppose everyone says that, though.
:) khairete
S.

Well, I learned from my parents (my mom mostly) to clean, cook, do laundry, drive, manage money, work hard and how to laugh! My mom is also an on-going teacher about faith and caring for others.

I was the youngest and the only thing I ever had to do was mow the lawn (we were all girls).

I learned how to do laundry by trial and error. I learned how to cook the same way. Almost everything can be learned by following directions and using a little creativity. Granted, me and my dh aren't very good with power tools or cars, but that's the kind of stuff that probably needs to be done by a hired professional.

Hy Husband's parents didn't teach him anything either.
My parents taught me a TON, and first hand. They were very involved parents... regarding showing us the world and about life and what not.
My Husband, had parents that at times, didn't even know his teacher's name or what grade he was in. The Mom taught him a bit more, but his Dad was a distant parent. Not "there."

But regardless, if a child wants to learn things, they will. But hopefully they are at least guided... on what is good/bad/right/wrong.

Overall self-reliance. To not depend on a husband, to be self-sufficient.

I don't remember being 'taught' but from the time we could reach the knobs, we were doing our own laundry (there were 4 of us and mom and dad both worked full time). I know one summer I was in middle school and we were each given a month in which we had to plan, shop and cook all the meals. Dad would buy houses to re-hab and sell so I learned to paint, strip wallpaper and such. Same with the car stuff - changing the oil, changing a tire, replacing the exhaust system (really did this, and I know that's not 'normal'). My dad knows how to do all sorts of 'handy' things so I learned but like I said, I don't remember being 'taught', I just remember doing it.
Funny thing is with DH, I'm the build the deck person and he's the pick the paint color person. It works for us!

Mom:
bake (but not cook)
iron
wash the floor
do laundry
sew
clean the bathroom and kitchen
wash the walls and windows
how to manage and save money
to value education and reading
how to use the library
identifying birds, bugs and flowers
to love bugs
how to make change

Dad:
mow the lawn
tap dance (he was a dance instructor)
drive
ride a bike
ride my wagon
play solitaire
play chess
play every card game imaginable
to enjoy biking, swimming and vacation

Brother:
throw a baseball
every single sport in history
every single board game we played together

What I wanted to learn, and they knew how to do, but I never did learn from them:
garden
paint the walls
cook