What I want to learn

[Phoenix]

I thought we could all share some things that we want to learn. It can be anything big or small.

5 things I want to learn-

Organisational skills for my home
How to sew better
Permaculture gardening
I love learning all things Allied Health (Physio, Occupational Therapy, Speech, Podiatry) and would like to have a career in one of them later down the track.
A martial art!

I am looking forward to hearing from others, it will be interesting! :)

[Rinelle]

I want to learn:

More about unschooling
More about self publishing

That's about all I can think of right now. My head is rather focused these days...

[mama_bel]

I would like to learn:

more advanced cheesemaking
permaculture design - seeing the bigger picture
how to cook things like taro, cassava and other tropical veg
how to sew on my treadle sewing machine
self-control, LOL

5 things for me too!

[Rinelle]

Wish you were closer Bel. I learnt to sew on a treadle sewing maching. I still have it in my garage (it was my great grandma's), though it's seized up now and not useable.

[Phoenix]

Self control and self nurturing would be on my list too!

[boy wrangler]

hmm, I'm going to have to think about it for a bit.

Off the top of my head though:
- learning to sew (and learning the patience to go through with it)
- learning to garden (and stick to it)

hmm, maybe learning to stick with things is my lesson to learn!

[Joey]

Kinesiology
How to cook cool tasty stuff without a recipe - make up flavours add a bit of this and that - mine always taste the same
To say No
To relax and be happy with doing it - not to always feel I'm missing out
To play guitar (this one would be so achievable right now if I had the motivation/wanted it bad enough - it's just making up the numbers so I can be one of the cool kids with 5 ;) )

[boy wrangler]

- to say no would be really handy! thanks for the reminder Joey!
- I'd love to do something with naturopathy, no from a career point of view, just for my own learning

[Hailstorm]

Learn to play the violin, really well. I've always wanted to rock out on violin...

Learn to sew amazing things

Learn to bake awesome cakes/sweets/desserts

Ballet

French

There's more but five will do

[michelle_j_r]

- i'd like to re-learn piano (or even just how to read music!). I would have thought it a skill that would just come back to you even after years without use... but, no.

- i'd like to learn Italian. but i'll wait for another year or so and the kids and i can learn it together.

- i'd like to learn how to just chill and not get the shits when it gets to 7pm and the kids are nowhere near ready to calm down before bedtime. Is that learning self control?? LOL! Or just me with a temper?

- i'd like to learn more about the bush and living off the land (survival skills type stuff)

- i'd like to learn more about the animals and wildlife around me. My Dad can just hear a bird call or a frog call and know what it is. He can see a tree and know exactly what it is. I struggle to remember it. But i am trying to pay more attention now so i can pass it on to the boys.

[mrs fox]

I would like to learn how to:

manage money better
find a way to not offend people so much(by being myself that is):confused1
make a magic wand and then patent the bloody thing
do sliversmithing
spell and do maths better
not procrastinate...speaking of which I have to get ready.

[Hailstorm]

- i'd like to learn more about the animals and wildlife around me. My Dad can just hear a bird call or a frog call and know what it is. He can see a tree and know exactly what it is. I struggle to remember it. But i am trying to pay more attention now so i can pass it on to the boys.

I know people who can do that with cars, they can hear a car engine and know what car it is....not really useful though :2lol

Oh and speaking of cars I'd love to learn mechanics and know how to fix/restore engines and things, that would be cool. One of my besties is a mechanic like his Dad years and years ago they were fixing up an old Soarer and I asked them to teach me, five minutes later they got into an argument over a piston or spark plug or something so I walked away :rofl

[wems]

I would like to learn to
* budget and stick to it
* get my house organised and less cluttered and stick with it
* be a better house cleaner

[sarah bean]

To write novels
To play guitar
To dance
Self confidence

[jodiemiller]

In practical terms, want to learn book keeping and basic business principles ('cos I shirked those lessons when I first had my opportunity).

In personal terms, I want to learn patience and I want to learn to be a better listener.

Anything else I know I can learn if I set my mind to it.

[Phoenix]

Oooh silversmithing is something that I would love to do too! There are courses at the Tafe here!

[mrs fox]

yep there is Emma...i think its an ACE Course...I wanna do it when I get a job

I got a Flat Battery today after tafe so now I wanna learn to check I did not leave my lights on!!!

[Larabelle]

What a great thread! I'd like to learn how to:

Speak French
Play my favourite song from the Amelie soundtrack on piano
Make my own pair of shoes
Sew a classic little black dress that fits me perfectly
Grow vegetables in my garden
Master macro photography
Make Essene bread
Operate a stenographer's machine
Play guitar
Code in html
Use a soldering iron.

I'm going to write these down somewhere and hopefully tick a few off the list. DH can probably teach me html, and my Dad could give me some soldering iron tips. Youtube has a great visual tute on how to play that Amelie song, and I have a book somewhere that's good for learning guitar. I found a fabulous book on sewing a LBD, but haven't got around to making the muslin body block yet. And French is just a fantasy, I think!

[Stardust]

1. Confidence around other people. Half the time I feel like a timid 5 year old
2. Natropathy
3. Tibetan chanting (or any sort of meditation properly)
4. Sewing machine
5. Midwifery
6. More about organic gardening and companion planting
7. More about my cultural roots and family..way back
8. How to have more patience and calm
9. How to get more energy

[Pinky]

I would like to learn
1. Piano
2. to sing
3. how to sew
4. how to cook (more interesting things)
5. how to organize my life and the things in it better
6. how to be calmer on a regular basis
7. how to be a better parent - patience is a big part of 6 & 7.
8. how to be joyful everyday instead of getting upset over all the details that drive me crazy
9. how to organize a food garden (permaculture style) in my limited space
10. how to banish procrastination from my life.

[Pinky]

Big one..

how to be in the NOW so I enjoy now.. I find myself looking at pictures of my daughter at age 2 and remembering things that I don't really remember BEING present for... if that makes sense..

I don't want to miss their childhood..

[Selenite]

- i'd like to re-learn piano (or even just how to read music!). I would have thought it a skill that would just come back to you even after years without use... but, no.


I agree, I took piano lessons as a teenager and I too thought it would be a skill that would stick with me but it hasn't, I would love an old piano for my girls and to learn again.

I would love to learn how to cook, I know basic things, enough to survive but I would love to be able to really cook.

More about gardening, the ins and outs of plants, how and where they best grow ~ I find gardening so relaxing but I only really have a vegetable garden, I would love some flowers.

I am starting to learn more about homeschooling, my oldest is 2y8m so she will not be starting school until 2013, however I would love to start a pre-school program with her next year.

I am sure there is more, but that is all I can think of for now.

[Selenite]

Big one..

how to be in the NOW so I enjoy now.. I find myself looking at pictures of my daughter at age 2 and remembering things that I don't really remember BEING present for... if that makes sense..

I don't want to miss their childhood..

This makes alot of sense, my daughters are 2y8m and 1y3m and I am already starting to feel this way at times even though I have always been with them as a SAHM.

[mummabare]

5 things I want to learn-

how to speak our languages better and be able to connect them to deeper knowledge
I still have so much to learn with my art....I feel like I'm still at the beginning.
time management skills and how to delegate
I'd like to conquer my anxiety around public speaking...because I have important things to say sometimes.
I'd like to learn to culture hop better as I see some of my older more experienced family do...crossing bridges sort of thing, but important for someone like myself.

[lucylu]

OOh, it's so lovely reading all of these - they say a lot about us don't they?

I'd like to learn:
1. Indonesian with Miss 7 for our Bali trip later in the year
2. Guitar - DP has a beautiful voice & I always imagine us playing and singing together
3. more impulse control!!!! he he

[Phoenix]

I would love to learn patience and understand and grace when it comes to ignorant comments about Down syndrome. My skin is incredibly thin to stereotypical comments. :(

[boy wrangler]

I would love to learn how to stand up for my children and/or myself when people make rude comments!

[Pinky]

This makes alot of sense, my daughters are 2y8m and 1y3m and I am already starting to feel this way at times even though I have always been with them as a SAHM.

Me too. I wonder if by being here all the time we miss the specialness of it.. working moms maybe treasure their times with their kids more because they are rare?

I dunno.. just musing.

[Pinky]

I would love to learn how to stand up for my children and/or myself when people make rude comments!

Easy fix for that. Take an improv class. Seriously. You don't learn to stand up for you and your kids without practicing. Not only that but unless people make rude comments all the time and you think of witty responses in hind sight.. you have to wait for it to happen again before you can use it.. which rarely happens.

Learning how to have a come back is a little used muscle.. and if you don't use it you lose it. I used to be very quick.... many moons ago.. but because I don't use it. I have a loving family and we don't insult each other regularly it is lost.. but an improv class would bring it all back.. think of it as a work out for your brain.

I know you weren't looking for advice.. but hey I thought I'd throw it out there just for the fun of it. :)

[boy wrangler]

Thanks Pinky. Unfortunately I do seem to get the rudeness and negative comments a bit. :( I hate being rude to people so quite often, in hindsight, I think that I'd just love to ask someone whether they think that is helpful or not. Just calmly and nicely "Do you really think that is helpful for me to hear at the moment?" but I'm so involved with what is happening for them to comment that I just can't separate from it and think about anything else, then I fume over it for days. Maybe I do need to practice outloud, maybe DH can help me.

[Pinky]

From whom and about what? I don't think you have to be rude. but you can call a spade a spade and if someone is not being kind you can call them out on it.
I love that "Do you really think that is helpful for me to hear at the moment?" is great... it reminds me of a line from one of my favourite movies. Gross Point Blank when John Cuisak tells his shrink that he knows where he lives, kinda as a joke, but the shrink knows that Cuisak is a hit man and he says "that wasn't designed to make me feel good"

I used that a lot.

[boy wrangler]

hehe, maybe I should use that one too, or at least think about using it until the time comes ;)

E (3.5) is quite emotional and very up and down and when he has a meltdown he really gives it his all (bless his determination) and because he is quite big for his age and looks older than he is I get a lot of comments. Mostly from oldies but just whoever is around really. One very helpful lady suggested one day that he just needs a good hard smack to sort him out!

Sorry for the hijack!

[jodiemiller]

Geez, I reckon I would've lost my cool in a situation like that too BW. What does she expect you to really do? Get her to show you how it's done??

[~Mel~]

I would love to learn
*to sew
*to cook with a more varied list of ingredients
*the art of biting my tongue rather than get into an argument with my 5 year old!

In terms of career - if I return to teaching, I would love
*to become a Librarian

[Phoenix]

A Librarian would be VERY cool Mel!

[Kali]

"Do you really think that is helpful for me to hear at the moment?"

I would not phrase it as a question as that invites an answer and a conversation. In a way, you are asking for advice from someone you want to disappear.

If you can't think of anything else then a simple "Mind your own business" works well. "My child, my choices" also works well.

I have said to someone, "Do I look in the mood for your stupid comments?" and they left really quickly.

A classic that never fails is "Do I know you?" in a rude voice.

Have a few comments up your sleeve for next time and you will feel better, I promise. ;)

[Esther]

Let me see what would I like to learn
1. To clear this house of stuff.
2. Learn what I find fun. I'm a tad confused on this one. The things I liked when I was younger don't seem right any more. Haven't done things fun for myself in ages. Want to let loose but don't know what to do. Also there are restrictions because of having kids.
3. To not feel overwhelmed by all the stuff I have to do.
4. Feel more confident about my business and making money.
5. Time management. How to fit everything in.

3 and 5 have a fair bit to do with each other.

[Pinky]

oh gods Esther.. TIME MANAGEMENT... yes.. add that one to my list too.. okay tell me how one learns that? is there a course?

and BW.. I agree.. no questions.. unless it is like "oh are you a child psychologist?" or something then when they say 'well no' you can say something like "well pardon me if I don't take the advice of a completely unqualified stranger" or something.

I have used a blank stare and the question "did I ask for your advice?" ... pause blank stare... "no I didn't think so" then continued on ignoring their comment... with family.. not strangers!

I agree.. have a few things to say that you feel comfortable saying.. practice them on DH.. and I bet you'll feel better.

[boy wrangler]

:realbighug:Thanks guys

[jodiemiller]

I would not phrase it as a question as that invites an answer and a conversation. In a way, you are asking for advice from someone you want to disappear.

How anyone might respond is purely subjective but a question is still a powerful comeback because it does invite an answer (even an internal one) which can leave the cogs of the brain churning for a long, long time afterwards. So I reckon questions contribute to the ecology of the communication - in other words, they challenge and refine ideas rather than shut them down entirely. :)

Sorry, my soapbox was calling to me.

[lucylu]

Sorry, my soapbox was calling to me.

:rofl jodie - love it!

I guess it depends who it is and what frame of mind you are in as to whether or not you want to contribute to communication or shut it down... but I find hard questions like the one suggested a really good way of deflecting attention and reframing the situation.

[boy wrangler]

Love a soapbox Jodie!

I just have no confidence that next time it happens I'll be able to say something. :(

[Kali]

That is why I was trying to keep it simple for you. ;)

[Hailstorm]

((HUGS)) BW, I really hope there won't be a next time sweetheart :kiss


Another thing I would love to learn is to play the saxaphone, but just two songs, Days like this by Van Morrison and Mo' better blues :2lol

[boy wrangler]

Saxamaphone! :2lol

[Phoenix]

I too would love to learn an instrument, probably that piano. My Dad plays beautifully and I always wished I had that skill but I find reading music difficult.

[Pinky]

meh.. I'd shut it down given my druthers. Not my job to contribute to the ecology of communication with a completely rude stranger... meddling family member maybe.. stranger.. bah... but thats just me.

[Phoenix]

Wouldn't it be nice if pictures in your head could be replicated IRL! I would be the BEST sewer you know! I would love to learn how to do that, to shape ideas from my head. It never turns out quite the same. :shrug

[Savannah]

I want to learn to relax more, to like myself more and to be content more often.

I would like to finish my Naturopathy degree. To learn more about growing and using my own medicines.

I would like to go and do an Edward De Bono course in Melbourne and facilitate within my local community.

I would like to write more and censor less.

[milkymumma]

I would like to write more and censor less.
pmsl that you edited your post! :rofl

[milkymumma]

Wouldn't it be nice if pictures in your head could be replicated IRL! I would be the BEST sewer you know!
Oh my gosh Phoenix! I think you mean seamstress?! :2lol

I had to read the next line to figure out that you weren't imagining yourself as a sewerage pipe!!

[mrs fox]

Quickbooks...I wanna learn that too

[Eilleen]

What's quickbooks? Its been cool reading everyone's posts.

Me, I've been in the process of learning how to do handyman type things around the house. I installed my own dishwasher last week! I'm almost ready now to try and change my sink and tap. Next I would like to learn how to re-board my balcony and after that learn how to build a deck.

[mrs fox]

quickbooks is an accounting software program...i am doing MYOB @ tafe and have seen jobd needing quickbooks too....just trying to learn a few skills

[Savannah]

pmsl that you edited your post! :rofl

:2lol I couldn't help myself!!!

[Phoenix]

Maybe a sew-er rather then sewer! :rofl Thanks for the mental picture MM! LOL!

[Pinky]

where is my post? disappeared in the ether I guess.

I'm taking a sewing class.. March 18th.. one day.. adult beginner class! whoop whoop.. from 9am to 4pm. Should be fun.

I want to make a version of this for my daughter. http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=170402.0

[Twinings]

I would love to learn how to jump out of a plane......

Also do a course to excel my cake decorating skills.

[milkymumma]

I want to learn to drive a car!

[Selenite]

Pinky, I love that link! I have so many of DH's terrible old shirts (one that is almost like the one in the picture) that would make lovely dresses! Sadly, I think I finally managed to donate them when we moved house, I am sure there is still one or two hanging around though ;), off to have a look.

Congrats on the sewing class, can't wait to hear how it goes.

I would like to know how to decorate cakes at a beginner level, I have tried and failed.

[michelle_j_r]

I'd like to learn sensual massage, or just any kind of massage really. I had a dream last night (unfortunately not really one of those dreams!) but I knew how to massage. I'd like that.

[jodiemiller]

Yeah, remedial massage is a great skill to have! Everyone will want to be your friend. :)

[Phoenix]

Your a fantastic cake maker Twinings!

Massage would be awesome! I was told that I gave a good massage, but that was before my hands had eczema.

[Soulcarer]

How is everyong going with their learning?

My 5 things would be;

1. Craft for my daughters education and entertainment
2. To sew and make clothes for my daughter
3. De clutter my life
4. Bake bread better, using my own stater, make more nourishing food for my family
5. Follow my dreams

[Pinky]

well I've been to the store where the sewing course is offered.. I'll get there by summer's end!

I want to learn that skill so I can make a quilt from baby clothes...
scrapbooks...

but all that is waiting until boy goes to school then I'll have days to do stuff.

I wish I knew what my dreams were... I'm still searching for them.

"Get your dreams just right
And let them slip away" ~ the counting crows

[jodiemiller]

I want to learn to cook so much better than I currently do.

[Kali]

Is it really sad that I can't find anything that I want to learn? I think I am learnt/burnt out. Last year I learnt to spin wool, how to teach special education as well as all the therapies that Ash needs. The thought of learning something new right now feels overwhelming. I don't think I have ever said that. I always thirst for knowledge and a challenge. :shrug:

[Soulcarer]

"Get your dreams just right
And let them slip away" ~ the counting crows

You know that is so true! I feel at the moment I am finding it hard to live in the now because I feel I am not living anywhere close to my full potential. So maybe I need to learn more about myself and my feelings :)