While growing up, my brothers and I had very few responsibilities. My parents worked opposite shifts, so they managed to take care of everything. All we had to do was keep our rooms clean and empty and fill the dishwasher. We didn't get crazy allowances like some
I don't know how to cook. I don't know how to iron. I don't know how to do basic maintenance things around the house. I don't know how to hang a picture. Seriously, I'm pretty sure The Targo had no clue what a lemon he was getting.
I've spent the last two years trying really hard to become a better cook - you know, one who doesn't rely on the George Foreman Grill so much. And I've been making all of Nathan's baby food. He likes it; doesn't that mean it's tasty? Yeah, I didn't think so. Anyway, all of this pureeing has really encouraged me. Over the past few weeks, I've made a bunch of things, from scratch: Vegetable beef soup, biscuits, chicken and pasta caserole. It's been fun. And The Targo has eaten everything without showing any signs of disgust or food poisoning. Now if I could just figure out how to hand a picture, our place would look lived in.
So, question for all of you ladies out there: Did you learn how "domestic" things when you were living at home with your parents? I don't just mean cooking, but all of the things owning a home/being out on your own necessitates? If not, how did you learn to do the things you do?
*EDIT* Incidentally, I can do laundry (but The Targo does it) and vacuum (we have hardwood floors). But that's pretty much it.
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My mom cooked with a telephone and a checkbook, so no, I didn't learn to cook and I'm still trying to teach myself. However, my mom did give me a toolbox full of hand-me-down tools as a graduation gift, so I could assemble my own furniture. Hanging pictures still stresses me out, though. But, I did learn from an early age how to vacuum, pull weeds, run the lawn mower, and do dishes!
Just before I started ninth grade, my dad started to work about 6 hours from where we lived - meaning he would stay there during the week and just be home on weekends. All my siblings were out of the house already, so it was just me and my mom. We took turns cooking - with my specialty being Chinese food. She would do most of the laundry, but if I needed something midweek, I had to do it. Same went for the ironing. The only problem now is my husband has a huge dislike for Chinese food, so we rely on George most nights to cook the meat (with a side of potatoes/rice and a veggie).
I've had to do my own laundry since I was about 12. Cooking? I still don't know how to do that. Last week was my first week of maternity leave and I decided I would be a good little housewife and cook every night. I shopped for ingredients for a full week's worth of meals. I screwed every single one up. My husband has since resumed the cooking duties.
My mom taught me to do a lot of things around the house (what with her being a single mom and all, she had to take care of it) but honestly, most of the stuff gets done by my husband. Even though sometimes I need to tell him how to do something, like the correct way to paint a room.
I think I learned a good chunk of my homemaking skills from watching my mom perform them. But, no offense to mom, I honed those skills by watching tv programs and reading. As much as I hate to admit it Martha helped me be a better homemaker. Her tv show taught me everything from properly setting a table, ironing, to cleaning stains. I started out as a fair to lousy cook but watching food network cooking shows really helped me become a good cook. So it's not too late. Oh and Martha just had an article a couple issues back all about properly hanging pictures. I know, don't you just hate her???
I married a man willing to do all of that as long as I provide money. ;-)
I learned how to cook a lot when I was growing up b/c both of my parents cooked. I know how to do most other domestic things as well, but other than cooking, I'm not so good at actually using those domestic skills. Just ask the cat hair tumbleweeds.
I knew NOTHING when I got married. I was barely 21 and never lived away from home. I was a horrible homemaker in those early years, but just by trial and error I've learned a few things. Blogging has made me realize that most mom just kinda wing it too.
I learned very basic cooking and laundry at home. The bulk of my knowledge I have gotten since Charlie was born. I guess I had to feel like we were a family to be motivated to do family things, like cook dinner.
I M P R O V I S E!!!!!
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