Okay, where do I start.  I'm not disagreeing with the list, per se.  These ARE skills that our children need, but as a certified teacher I have a few things to say about the "your child isn’t learning the crucial things he or she needs to learn in life" part of this.  Schools were created to teach reading, writing, math, science, history, etc.  Most of these other skills were taught at home.  Parents worked hard and their children worked hard with them which taught them, I would say, at least 80% of the things on this list.  And the rest, children learned by watching their parents and questioning as they got older.  These days alot (definitely not all and maybe not most, but alot) of parents expect teachers to teach ALL of these skills in school - which is where the problem of "not giving our kids the basic reading, writing, ‘rithmatic and science skills needed" comes in.  How in heaven's name are teachers supposed to be able to teach the basic facts and all of these "coping" skills, too????  There are not enough hours in a school day for a teacher to teach all of the things a parent expects his/her child to learn in the classroom.  Parents have to take the initiative to teach their children through example at home!

Please note - I am NOT saying that teachers should be able to just focus on basic facts and not teach the things like empathy, creativity, motivations, etc.  But these things will should come from a teacher through example, not focused teaching on the subject, in my opinion.

Also note - I know that you are homeschooling your children and you are very focused on giving them a good education and I think that's fabulous.  I have considered homeschooling as well.  I want you to know that I don't think all parents are falling down on the job - but neither do I think most teachers are, either.  There is just alot expected of them.

Ok... I like the website.  I just took a good look at it.  The list you are talking about is pretty good.  I think it takes the school and parent to teach all of these things.  I learned some of it at school, but my mother taught me none of it.  So, I really didnt know what I was doing when I got out on my own.  Parents, really need to teach your kids about credit and financials.  I didnt even know what a credit report was until I was married for 2 years.  My mom never mentioned it.  Ive made it an important subject to bring up when my kids are old enough.

I think that many parents do lean too much on the school to teach their kids everything they need to know for life. They look at it like they are an aid and the school is the main in their child's learning process, when I think it really should be switched around.

But, put aside all the conflictory stuff about whether or not the school are doing their job, and this is a pretty good list to keep in mind. We need to remember that these are all things our kids are either going to observe in us or they aren't and that is what is going to guide their decision on whether or not these things are important in life. I don't know that favorite is the right word to use, but I really like passion, compassion and the whole happiness section.

I DO think that it would be a good idea to offer an annual class, every grade level, on practical life skills, applicable to that age's level of understanding.  All of these things are so important.  I'm a teacher, and I realize that schools are focusing mostly on the academic subjects that are being taught....they are forced to, because of all this "No child left behind" bs that the government is forcing on all of us.  They are so pressured to up these kids' test scores so that their schools don't stop receiving government aid - they don't have time to teach all these necessary "extras."  Yes, it would be ideal if we teachers could incorporate all these things into the currently mandated curriculum, but there just isn't enough time in a day to do it all.  Lots of us try.  Yes, parents should be teaching these things at home, but most of them don't, and many of them are not as conscientious as we "enlightened" parents, and also, most parents are overworked and stressed out. 

I've had two sons graduate from high school now, and the first one, even in special ed, didn't learn enough practical life skills to enable him to survive in this world.  They spent four years trying to get him to understand algebra, which, with a processing deficit, he will probably never "get", instead of teaching him the things he would need to make it in this world.  My second son was on a college prep track, and therefore did not have time in his schedule to take any "practical life skills" classes of any kind.  Both of them took driver's ed without being shown how to look under the hood of a car, check the oil, change a tire, or anything  - I think basic automobile maintenance should be required of all who take driver's ed, but the schools don't do it.  I would have really appreciated them learning a few things like that, since, as a widowed mom, their dad isn't here to teach them that stuff.  I think they need to offer a mandatory course in these types of life skills. special ed, college-bound, or not.  But unfortunately, without doing it that way, the regular teachers just don't have time to include it all in their curriculum, with the government hovering over them about test scores.