Leaving home is very exciting for most teenagers, whether they are heading off to university or getting a house share with friends it is a special time. My first teen left aged 18 as she headed to university and I was so glad that I had taught her many basic skills that helped her live independently. My son will be heading down the same route soon enough, he is currently 17 and pretty clueless about some essential skills so I am stealthily working on that now!
As a little back story my son decided to clean his trainers today. He asked me for a bowl and brush which I gave him. However he then asked if he should use warm or cold water. I suggested warm would be better he then started to fill the bowl and was about to add a dash of washing up liquid after filling it. I pointed out this wouldn’t make the water soapy and he’d be better putting that in first! He took my advice and started again before proceeding to sit in the garden and clean his beloved trainers!
If you have an older teenager living at home now is the time to help them prepare for leaving home because otherwise you will get all the questions when they first move out!
We all want our kids to live a comfortable and happy life, which is why we give them all that we can and refrain from loading them up with any responsibility – not even chores. Some parents will think it’s not needed that their child does chores, but this practice is harmful if we see the bigger picture.
Let’s face it; life is not always going to be easy for them. And if they are dependent on their parents for all their daily needs, and know nothing about the world and how it works, they are going to find it impossible to blend into adult life.
If not today, but tomorrow they would have to move out, and they would need to be ready to be on their own. Thus, if you happen to have teenagers, now is the time to prepare them for leaving home.
How? Read on!
Here is a list of 15 things and skills they must master before leaving home
- Cooking meals
They cannot order food every day, it would neither be good for their health nor their budget, which makes cooking a skill they cannot be alien to. Teach your teenagers to cook some basic meals before they leave home. Pasta dishes are always useful as they are cheap, filling and pretty easy for most teenagers.
Again I remember my brother heading off to university and buying a fajita kit off the shelf, he got home ready to cook up his dinner only to be surprised that there was no chicken on the box! He genuinely expected to find chicken and peppers in the box alongside the seasoning and wraps – all on a shelf I hasten to add not in a fridge!! Here are some great tips for teens in the kitchen.
- Washing dishes
Washing dishes is not tough when you have dishwashers around. However, it’s possible for your kid to not know how to operate it, in that case, they must know how to do it manually when they are independent. At University or in their first rented accommodation they are probably not going to have a dishwasher.
- Doing laundry
Doing laundry is not rocket science. However, it can be for someone who does not know how to operate washing machines and dryers. I remember getting a call about how much detergent to use! A great tip here is to give your teenager an ecoegg as they are much cheaper long term! Read more on saving money on the laundry here.
- Sewing buttons
Imagine your child having an important meeting, but their button falls off. As a mother, you will not always be around to sew the button; they must know how to do it on their own.
- Ironing
Ironing has to be one of the easiest chores out there. However, not for children who have been dependent on their parents all their childhood. Thus, if your kid happens to be on the list, then they must know how to iron. You can ensure that by handing them the responsibility of ironing their clothes ASAP.
- How to change a tyre
Finding a mechanic when your car malfunctions in the middle of nowhere is neither pleasurable nor safe. Thus, teenagers must have this basic skill to help them in their time of need. If your teenager is taking a car to university
- Budgeting
When you are earning money, but spend it without having a set budget, you are on a sinking ship. Having said that, the key to money management is budgeting. Your kids must know how it works and must practice it all through their lives, starting from their teenage years. A good way to learn this is by having a part time job before leaving home and learning how to save and spend accordingly.
- Write a resume
I do not need to tell you as you would already know how important a resume or CV is. Your kid’s career depends on it, which is why they must know how to make a perfect one. They are many great templates available for free online.
- Basic manners
It’s okay not to be perfectly well-mannered at home, but when your kids are in the world outside, their manners strictly determine their first impression.
- Self-defense
We don’t live in a utopian world where crimes don’t take place. This is why your children need to be on their guard. It is worth having a conversation with sons about how they can keep women safe.
- Basic first aid
We don’t know what can happen the next moment, but being ready with basic first aid knowledge can save lives. There are some great free courses that teach first aid. We all saw the importance of learning CPR in the recent Danish Finnish Euro Football match.
- How to kill it an interview
Let’s face it, careers depend on interviews. Thus, being parents with work experience, you can provide your kids some tips, enhance their communication skills, and help them form the perfect answer.
- Punctuality
Punctuality is not learned, it is practiced. Your kids must know how important it is to be on time in life. Time is valuable, theirs as well as others.
- How to stand up for themselves
The world is cruel, and it will push them down. But your children must know that it is important to take their stand when needed. Teaching teenagers confidence and how to speak up for themselves is an important life skill.
- Bill management
Being young and out of the house, your kids would need to inculcate a habit of paying bills on time. If you can train them in the very light, it would help them in future.
Lastly
Before taking leave, here’s a disclaimer, it won’t be easy, and it would require your constant efforts. But you don’t have to give up or take it lightly. Your kids need to be ready for leaving home and being parents, you are the one responsible for it.
I have also written about parenting twenty somethings.
Have something to say? Ideas to share or opinions to express on leaving home? I’m all ears and waiting for you in the comment section.
