05 Jul 12 Life Skills Your Kids Should Have Before Moving Out
12 Life Skills Your Kids Should Have Before Moving Out
We all want our kids to be ready to face the world on their own and thrive, but in order for this to happen, they need certain life skills. The best case scenario is that we gradually teach our kids these skills over the years by letting go and giving them more and more responsibilities. Some skills can be learned more naturally while others may require a more intentional approach.
If you want to make sure that you’re covering all your bases in raising the most responsible and independent young adult possible, ask yourself if your teen has the following skills:
Food & Cooking Skills
If your teen’s idea of meal prep is dialing the local pizza joint for delivery, then he or she may need some training in the kitchen. Without basic cooking and food selection skills, it won’t be long before your teen is bored with food and has an empty bank account.
Make sure he understands how to use basic kitchen tools (can opener, knives, mixer, blender, etc.) and how to prepare and store food safely. Can your teen properly use and clean the microwave, stove, and oven? Share some of your basic, easy recipes, and remind him that Pinterest and YouTube are just a few clicks away for guidance. Afterward, make sure he can properly clean up after cooking.
Finally, ensure your teen can prepare a grocery list, navigate a store, compare prices for the best deal, and shop effectively each week. They need to know how to pick ripe produce and the correct types of meat for their meals too.
Shopping Skills
On the same topic as grocery shopping is any kind of shopping. There’s no shame in using coupons and buying store brands for most items. Help your teen to understand store gimmicks versus good deals, and teach her to develop a budget for groceries and other needs and to stick with it.
When it comes to clothing and personal items, help your teen decide if a purchase is a need or a want and to consider the best options.
Laundry Skills
There’s no mom on the planet in her right mind that wants to keep doing her kids’ laundry forever. Once your teen hits middle school (or at the latest high school), she should be doing her own laundry. Teach her to sort her clothes by color and at which temperature clothing should be washed. She also needs to know when and how to hand-wash her clothing as well as how to treat stains and iron.
There’s nothing worse than ruining a favorite sweater or dress because you didn’t know how to properly care for it, so teach these skills.
Cleaning & Home Maintenance Skills
For many parents, this is a no-brainer because often their teens are helping out with chores. But don’t assume anything; cleaning can be confusing because there are all types of cleaners for different purposes. Make sure they know how to vacuum, clean windows, clean the bathroom, and wash floors.
Also be sure they know basic things like how to change a lightbulb, what to do if the power goes out (check circuits), how to fix a running or clogged toilet, how to use a fire extinguisher, and how to use basic tools (hammer, screwdriver, drill, etc.).
Help your teen understand how to organize their belongings, clothing, toiletries, towels, dishes, and the like. Make sure they also know how to pick up after themselves and to be tidy generally so they can be a good roommate.
Basic Car Maintenance
Don’t neglect to teach these skills because it can help your teen avoid lots of expenses in the future. And please teach your daughters these skills, too, just like you also teach your sons all about cleaning and maintaining the house.
Make sure they know how to not only pump gas but also how to check and fill the oil and other fluids. Do they know how to use jumper cables and to check tire pressure? Do they know what to do in case of an accident or what paperwork to show a police officer?
Budgeting and Paying Bills
Teach your teen how to set up a budget, open up and use a bank account (checking, debit/credit cards, and ATM), and track expenses and income. Make sure she knows how to pay a bill (and have a system for paying on time), save up for a large purchase, and keep track of important papers. Help your young adult think through a plan if her expenses are more than her income.
Time Management /Managing Their Own Schedule
This is one of the biggest challenges for young adults as they learn to juggle classes, studying, working, eating, sleeping, and fun. In adulthood, they will have many responsibilities to manage, so sitting down with them and planning out a weekly or monthly schedule (on paper or electronically) can really help them get a handle on their time and ensure they aren’t too overwhelmed with everything.
When will they work? Study? Do laundry? Grocery shop? Have fun? Help them think through these details to help them feel more in control of their life.
Managing Their Healthcare
Teens who are getting ready to leave home need to start being more responsible for their medical, dental and vision care—even if they are still on Mom and Dad’s insurance. Do they know their doctor’s phone number and how to make an appointment? Do they have basic first aid skills? What about personal hygiene? These are all important skills they need.
Job Skills
Young adults need to have the skills to land a job. Make sure your teen knows how to fill out a job application, set up an interview, perform during an interview, and relate with coworkers and bosses. Help him know what to say and not say during an interview; maybe even do a mock interview together. Have him practice filling out a job application and a W-4 form.
Employers are looking to hire people who are motivated, reliable, and independent; be sure your teen understands this and conducts himself accordingly.
Problem-solving Skills
Teens will encounter new types of challenges after they leave your house. Don’t always solve their problems for them; have conversations and help them brainstorm solutions so they understand the process of thinking through a problem and considering possible solutions on their own. This will help them feel empowered and more self-sufficient too. Being a problem solver is also a trait that employers value.
Manners
This almost goes without saying, but young adults need to be reminded of the manners you’ve taught them all of their lives. Does your teen know how to act at a formal event, properly tip a waitress or hairdresser, and graciously bow out of an obligation? Does he know how to be a good roommate (not a slob) and think of other people instead of himself all the time?
Relationship Skills
This is a biggie. Your teen will soon encounter all kinds of new people—some who will be easy to get along with and many who are not. Talk through possible scenarios that she may encounter and how to handle them. Make sure she knows how to respectfully say no when necessary. Does she know where to turn when she needs help navigating a relationship issue?
This list is not all-inclusive, of course, but it’s a great starting place to help your young adult enter the world with skills that will help him or her flourish and succeed.
This newsletter was prepared by a third party company to be used on the Russell & Company and Simple Money Tips for Women websites.
