September 2005
Dear Friends,

It’s hard to believe summer is coming to an end, and schooling has resumed in earnest. Of course, here in north Florida, it’s still very hot and will remain so well into October.

Last month, I encouraged you to have your daughters start a 3-ring binder devoted to homemaking. They can divide it into cooking, sewing, quilting, cleaning tips, and so on and collect helpful items from magazines, websites, books, etc. They should begin practicing these skills now so they are well prepared for their own home and family someday. That day will come before you know it! Will your daughter be trained so she is a confident homemaker?

Besides teaching your daughter to prepare meals, bake, sew, and clean, there are other skills she will need to manage her own home well. As you plan the new school year, take time to teach your daughter some of the other aspects of homemaking she needs to learn. Teach her to organize her own closet and drawers, then hold her accountable to keep them organized! The change of seasons provides an excellent time to go through closets, remove clothes and shoes that no longer fit, and get this season’s clothes ready to wear. Do some need mending, or cleaning? Plan ahead so you’re not caught unprepared with the first blast of winter air.

When your daughter can manage her own closet, teach her how to organize and supply a linen closet. How do you fold towels? There are different ways to fold them, and the “right” way is however they best fit in your linen closet.

Teach your daughters to fold sheets, especially fitted sheets. Too often those end up haphazardly stuffed into the closet! Start with small fitted sheets; crib sheets are perfect if you have them. If not, practice folding twin sheets first. Fold them in half first, tucking the ends from the top inside the ends on the bottom. Then fold however they best fit into your closet. It helps children if they lay the sheet on a bed and then fold it. Older girls will learn how to hold the sheet up and fold at the same time. Practice folding pillowcases, blankets and quilts.

A large portion of a family’s budget goes toward food and other products from the grocery store. Even if you shop at a warehouse store, take time to pick up the grocery ads from at least 2 or 3 grocery stores. These are usually in the newspaper each week and some stores mail their ads. Have your daughter circle some of the items your family uses, then compare prices between stores. Here is an excellent opportunity to teach math skills! Is cheese cheaper on sale at 3/$5 or at another store when it is buy one/ get one free? Children always think “free” is better, but if one package of cheese is $3.99, is it still a better deal than 3/$5?

Calculate the distance to several stores in your area. Help your daughter figure out the cost of gas to travel to each store. If you save 50 cents at one store, but you must drive an extra 10 miles, is it still worth the savings? What about the extra time it may take?

Write a menu for a week with your daughter and then ask her to write out the grocery list. Have her check the cupboards to see what you have on hand. When you buy extra items on sale, such as canned goods, rotate your stock so you use the oldest items first. Speaking of cupboards, when was the last time they were organized and washed out? Do this with your daughter and teach her valuable lessons that will help her for a lifetime.

Think of how many young wives struggle with budgeting, and how much stress young couples sometimes encounter all because a young lady never learned how to be thrifty, to compare prices, and to care for her clothes, linens and other belongings. Everything will last longer with proper care and maintenance. Look around your home. Teach her to pay attention to details and take good care of her home, whether it’s a small apartment or large farmhouse!

Grow a small garden and incorporate that with your science lessons. No space for a garden? Small pots of herbs are easy to grow and inexpensive. Learn to use the herbs in cooking (see pages 103-104 of The Future Christian Homemaker’s Handbook). If you’re blessed with space for a large garden, teach your daughter how to can the vegetables you harvest.

What a blessing your daughter will be to her husband (and perhaps your grandchildren!) if you have “apprenticed” her as she grows up in your home. Girls need years of practice to master the many skills needed to become a successful, Godly homemaker. And how precious are those memories you build as she works by momma’s side helping to serve the Lord in her own family first.

Until next time ~

Yours in Him,

 

Copyright, 2005, Laurie Latour.  www.FutureChristianHomemakers.com

You may make one printed copy for your own personal, private use.  FCH leaders may make one printed copy for each person in their group.  Copyright line above must be included in all copies.  Permission for any other use must be requested in writing. 
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