Coins and Cursive

As a homeschooling mom, I often get asked how do I know what to teach my kids?  The answer is, I don't always know...but much of what they learn comes from wanting them to be "life smart" vs "test smart".  Although many of our schools are deleting subjects like music and health, and not teaching skills such as cursive and counting real American money, since all are things I am exposed to everyday I think it not only necessary, but a wonderful privilege to be able to educate my children on them.  Now I'm no expert but I think deleting these treasures from our children's education might have some unexpected and  negative repercussions.  When traveling, I want them to be able to read the painter's signature inside an Italian museum or be able to harmonize with their favorite songs with the piano.  I want them to know and understand different health concepts and not be so easily swayed by the fads of our day.  I want them to be able to count out their coins as they pay for little treasures they choose to buy with their hard earned money.  Don't get me wrong, they are also learning the value of the secrecy of pin numbers and passwords as I allow them to swipe the debit card at the register...but there are some things I choose to instill and teach my little team despite the lack of their current popularity.  Its not always easy, in fact its rarely easy, but I pray and hope it will be worth it.