Catherine Scott: Today's mums are failing to pass on skills, but do we really need to know how to heel a shoe?

It was actually my granny who gave me instruction on the best way to clean brass and silverware, another skill that I have chosen not to keep up to speed with, as any visitors to my home can see from the yellowing silver picture frames.

I’m not sure she ever taught me to darn a pair of socks, though for that matter I don’t recall her ever darning a pair of socks either.

And what about re-heeling a shoe or recycling soap? Nope. Oh if only there had been YouTube in my day then may be our socks would have a bit more longevity and I’d be able to descale the kettle.

These are just a few of the life skills which apparently today’s mothers are not passing on to their children.

In my defence I have taught my children how to iron – although I can’t say it’s that complicated – in 
the vain hope they may choose 
to pick the appliance up once in a while.

They took to the challenge with gusto initially, but the enthusiasm seems to have waned somewhat, surprise, surprise.

Looking at the 20 lost skills drawn up following a survey by Addis Homes (see page 11 in today’s Life&Style) I have to say I’m not took sure how my teenage and pre-teenage girls would find them – or how I would for that matter.

The research found that modern mums estimate they learnt 22 skills form their own mum, and use seven of them every day.

I have to admit it was mum who taught me how to drive, how to rustle up a semi descent Sunday roast and get hospital corners on my bed sheets (she was a nurse after all).

The problem with the lost skills list is that the reason most of the skills are lost is that they aren’t relevant to today’s children – although I think you will always need to know how to make a trifle.

The problem is a lot of the skills that my children will need to survive the digital age I just don’t possess myself, so 
how can I hand the knowledge down?

All I can do is try to pass on the skills that will best prepare my children for the life ahead of them when it comes to making decisions, giving them emotional wellbeing and support .

Of course I will still teach them how to make a good Yorkshire Pudding and even to sew on a button, but it is more important that they are rounded, confident individuals.

And, at the end of the day, if all else fails there is still YouTube.

Twitter@ypcscott