I have a blue corduroy stuffed pig on my desk next to the computer. I found it when cleaning the basement and washed it in the washing machine and now have only to fix a few seams where the stitching has come out. Our older son sewed this pig for his younger sister when he was in home economics in junior high. Those were the good old days when boys had training not only in metal shop and woodworking, but cooking, sewing, writing up a budget, caring for children and other actually useful skills. He still is the best ironer I know. I can't hold a candle to him. Now the pig will be ready for his children and it's a mighty sweet pig with pink ears and the dimensions of a pillow.
Our younger son had none of this training, and I'm certain he would have enjoyed every minute of it. And it's not like we have vocational schools, we just cut out of the budget the life skills that might actually help when you move away from home. They are too useful to be valued in our culture. Providers of day care, teachers, school staff - anything occupation that holds the responsibility for our future in their hands - we devalue them and then wonder why our kids are ignorant and without resources inside themselves to handle life.
I've never had a house cleaner or anyone to do my work. I felt it was important that our kids see the two of us, along with their help, tackle the messes we create, and build confidence about their self sufficiency. Physical work is meaningful, and its repetitions are sometimes boring but also often comforting to the body and mind. I still enjoy the fact that I can sew on a button, make curtains, hang a picture, change the oil and a tire, paint a chair bright blue and smile. I wish they'd put such simple, accessible joys back in the school day.
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