Kids can spend their entire childhood studying in school and still may not be ready to make it on their own. There is so much to learn and a lot of it isn't taught in school, so their parents need to catch them up. Tell us how many essential life skills you've taught your kids and we'll tell you if you've prepared them well.
Yeah, the world has gone digital but there’s still a need to
send snail mail. Whether it’s to pay a bill, send a thank you letter or deliver a birthday
card, your kids should know the basics of addressing, postage and format.
Every kid should know the
basics of cooking. Boiling an egg is a perfect place to start. If your kid can
make a hard-boiled egg, you know he won’t starve.
Your kid doesn’t need to fashion an outfit from a set of drapes,
but knowing how to replace a button is a little thing that goes a long way.
Whites, darks, gentle, stains, how to turn the machine on -- this is all stuff they should learn way before college.
You never know when there’s going to be a laundry emergency
and wrinkles need to be removed. Your kid should know how.
Hammering a nail, using a screwdriver and gripping something with
pliers are all essential housekeeping tasks. Bonus points for wrenches and tape
measures.
Learning to swim isn’t just fun -- it’s life-saving.
Think of it as a safety net for pools, lakes, ponds and the like.
Every kid should be taught to look at a public
transportation map, check the schedule and decipher what they need to do to get from
point A to point B. If you don’t have a subway system in your area, the local bus
route is fine, too.
Does your child know how to use "please" and "thank you"? When to
bring a hostess gift? How to write a thank you note? How and when to RSVP? Proper
table manners? Many adults struggle with basic etiquette and though Emily Post
may seem old fashioned, it never goes out of style.
It’s gross, but you don’t need to call a plumber every time
your toilet won't flush. Teach your kid how to do this -- especially if they plugged it in
the first place.
While your kids are young, teach them about keeping their info safe online. They should also know how to back their stuff
up so they don’t lose a term paper at 2 a.m.
Start with the basics with allowances and piggy banks and
teach them to divide their dollars into the categories of save, spend and give.
When they have enough, help them open a bank account to save even smarter.
With great credit comes great responsibility. Teach your
kids about managing both the money they have on hand and that they borrow
whether it’s a credit card or a student loan. It will make life so much easier
later on.
A summer job is great because it teaches responsibility,
work ethic and self-reliance. It’s also great because your kid will likely need
to pay taxes. Don’t do it for them -- do it together so they can learn how to do
it themselves.
Keeping a calendar and a to-do list, dividing your day into
blocks, staying on task and prioritizing are skills that will become more and
more crucial the older they get. An Apple Watch can't do everything, it turns out.
Unless you live in New Jersey, where it is still illegal to
pump your own, your child should know how to fill a tank of gas. Especially if
they have their own car.
Can your children manage making a shopping list, managing how
much money they have to spend and paying for it by themselves? They should
know how. Bonus points for not overspending at Target.
Learning how to dress themselves is something children learn
by the time they’re in school. Beyond buttons and zippers, can they match their
clothes? Do they know some basic rules of fashion? Do they know what smart
causal attire means on an invitation? Do you? (Here’s some cheat sheets on matching and dress code if you don’t).
I still struggle with spacial relations when it comes to
packing a suitcase. Then there’s the dos and don’ts for what you can take on a
plane, plus how much should you pack. Luckily, there’s downloadable packing
lists for every occasion to guide you. Also, a handy video on how to pack the
perfect bag.
Don't. Skip. The. Talk. (And consent too).
Your kid won't let you forget to teach them how to drive. But don't stop there. Do they know when the oil should be changed? How to gas it? How to use jumper cables? Changing
a tire is a plus, but knowing how to sign up for a roadside assistance club is
good, too.
Helping out with chores is a great way to learn how to take
care of a home. Your kid should know the basics of tidying from wiping down the
kitchen, dusting and floor care. Don’t forget the bathrooms!
Google Maps will read a map for you, but you should still
know the basics, in case the wifi is ever down.
Your kid may be ready to leave the nest, but do they have a
plan for paying bills? Are they going to pay online or write a check? Do they have a list of all the
things that must be paid and money set aside to pay them? Kids can help you
with the household budget to get some practice in before they do it on their
own.
Airports can be scary and confusing. If possible, it’s great
for kids to learn how to navigate one with a buddy before they’re grown up and trying to do it alone.