Handwriting

I am having a very difficult time finding handwriting for each child.  I have seen all the books, all the worksheets, all the things about it, but I don't like any of them.  I did find one halfway decent book for the 12yo, but the things for the 7yo, they all want to push cursive.

I don't have a problem with cursive.  In fact, I think it is needed and important to teach.  It can become part of a person's handwriting as they get older and more practiced. 

But I think 7yo or 2nd grade is a little early to push it. 

Particularly when the 12yo can hardly write in manuscript well.   I can hardly read his writing some days!  (a skill to be used in his notebooks this year)

So why should I be so "encouraged" to teach cursive when the children are hardly taught to write in the first place? I need to get back to basics, and just have them write, write, and write, until I can read it.

Maybe I should make my own pages.  I have a list of quotes from people that I could have them copy.  I am considering adding in a vocab section for each of them, and that could be part of handwriting too. 

On the other hand, and don't tell the kids this, but I am considering just scrapping the whole idea and focus on other parts of their education.  After all, they will be using computers most of the time, right?

In that case, they better start with their typing again at typing.com.