20 Essential Skills To Teach Your Kids Before They Move Out
Are Your Kids Gearing Up To Leave The Nest?
The day your child spreads their wings to leave the nest is full of emotions, pride, a little sadness, and a nervous flutter of "are they ready?" Sure, school teaches them some of the essential skills they need, but there's a lot of practical knowledge they don't get from educational institutions. One of the roles of parents is to make sure their kids are released into the world as well-rounded people who know how to take care of themselves, their space, and others. Here are 20 essential skills to teach your kids before they move out.
1. How To Cook
Even if it's just a handful of simple meals, giving your kids the tools to feed themselves is one of the most empowering things you can do. They don't need to be top chefs, but once they know a few basics, they can build on them. This skill will save them countless dollars they would otherwise spend on takeout or junky fast food.
2. Budgeting & Saving
Learning how to budget and save money early on will save your kids from debt and a whole lot of stress. It will also instill in them a sense of foresight, a useful skill in all aspects of life.
3. Stress Management
As much as you want to shelter your kids, life is inevitably full of stressors, large and small. Teaching your kids how to manage them through things like breathing exercises and mindfulness practices will help them make it through tough times.
4. Basic First Aid
Accidents happen. Make sure your kids know enough first aid so they don't have to call Mom every time they get a boo-boo. They should know how to treat cuts and burns, disinfect, bandage, and know when to call for help.
5. Basic Car Maintenance
Ensure your kids are safe on the road by teaching them basic car maintenance. This is anything from checking tire pressure and changing a flat tire, to jump starting a battery, and knowing when to call a mechanic.
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6. Job-Searching & Interview Skills
To ensure your kids have all the tools to make it in this world, take it upon yourself to teach them how to search for a job and succeed in interviews. They shouldn't move out without knowing how to create a resume, present themselves to employers with confidence, and land jobs.
7. Nutrition
Knowing basic cooking skills is just one piece of the pie. The other portion is knowing how to feed themselves properly by understanding nutrition. Otherwise, you have a child with the purchasing power of an adult, running free in the supermarket.
8. Understanding Credit
Too many adults have a similar story: bad credit that follows them for years because they didn't understand how credit worked when they were young. Make sure to teach your kids about credit scores, the importance of avoiding debt, and managing loans.
9. How To Invest
Do your kids a favor and teach them the basics of smart investing and set financial goals. This will set them up well for financial success.
10. Simple Home Repairs
Teaching your kids how to do simple home repairs will save them a lot of money they'd otherwise spend on an expensive expert. This includes plunging a toilet, fixing a leaky faucet, unclogging a drain, and changing a lightbulb.
11. Laundry
Your kids should not need their mom to do their laundry for them. Make sure they know this incredibly basic skill, including folding and putting away clothes.
12. House Cleaning
If your kids don't know basic house cleaning, they'll be living in a pigsty when they move out or relying on others to clean up after them. Get them in the habit of washing their dishes after eating, cleaning the bathroom weekly, and tidying up after themselves.
13. Healthcare Access
Don't put your kid in an unhealthy position where they go without medical care when they need it, because they don't know how to make a doctor's appointment or how to access insurance. Healthcare can be a tricky and intimidating world, but they should feel safe and supported when seeking out medical care.
14. Self-Advocacy
One of the most important skills for a young adult to have is self-advocacy. This is anything from asking for help, speaking up for themselves, and confidently handling adult conversations.
15. Organization & Time Management
More so than having a genius-level intellect or being a workhorse, success boils down to organization and time management. These skills will also help your kids avoid unnecessary stress. Get them in the habit of using planners, calendars, to-do lists, taking breaks, and delegating.
Communicationtaion
Effective communication is important in all aspects of life, from careers to relationships with roommates, friends, and romantic partners. Communication skills include active listening, reading nonverbal cues, and asking questions.
17. Emotional Intelligence
Teaching your kids emotional intelligence will help them manage their emotions better throughout life. It will also help them read others' emotions better, which will foster stronger relationships. Teach these skills with practices like naming feelings, role-playing, and storytelling.
18. Tech Skills
In this day and age, chances are your kids already have better tech know-how than you. If they're not technically inclined, make sure they know their way around devices like computers and smartphones, as tech skills play a role in every line of work.
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19. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
In a world where false information is everywhere, it's imperative to give your kids the skills to avoid falling into traps by thinking critically. Logical thought and problem-solving will help them make it in the real world.
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20. Utility Management
Utilities like electricity and the internet are necessary parts of life. Make sure your kids know how to set up and pay for utilities as well as how to conserve energy to avoid fat bills.
