Health & Fitness
Skills Young Adults Should Know Before Leaving Home
Have you taught your children "the basic skills" they need to know before moving out on their own?
When children are born it often feels like we have all the time in the world to teach them basic life skills. Unfortunately, time speeds up and before you know it, our babies are now adolescents on the brink of adulthood. Suddenly, we find ourselves wondering if we’ve taught our kids what they will need to know to thrive on their own. Of course, this is a broad subject, but there are some practical skills it behooves all young adults to have.
“Before They Leave Home” Checklist:
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Food
- How to plan a healthy diet (understand nutrition labels)
- How to grocery shop
- How to prepare a few favorite meals
- How to use/clean a microwave, oven & stove
- How to store food safely
- How to use basic kitchen tools (can opener, knives, mixer)
Money
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- How to make a budget
- How to use a checking account, debit card, credit card and ATM
- How to record & track expenditures
- How to pay a bill
- How to save money
- How to give to charities
- How to plan for a large purchase
- How to file & keep track of important papers
- How to process health insurance claims
- How to complete a basic tax form
Clothing
- How to sew on a button
- How to do basic mending
- How to wash & care for clothing (how to follow care labels)
- How to iron
- How to store clothing
Car
- How to drive
- How to pump gas
- How to check oil level & fill if needed
- How to check washer fluid & fill if needed
- How to jump start a car
- How to change a tire & how to check tire air pressure
- How to store & produce paperwork to the police if stopped
- How to track and care for car maintenance
- What to do in case of an accident
House
- How to find & work a circuit breaker
- How to locate and operate water and furnace shut-offs
- What to do in case of a fire (how to use a fire extinguisher)
- How to perform basic first aid
- How to fix a running/clogged toilet
- How to hang a picture
- How to change a light bulb
- How to use basic tools (hammer, screw driver, drill)
- How to clean & vacuum
- How to set the table
- How to organize belongings
Lifestyle
- How to plan their time
- How to say “no” respectfully
- How to behave at a formal event
- How to pack a suitcase and travel in an airport/train station/subway
- How to be a respectful houseguest
- How to express condolences
- How, when and how much to tip
- How to write a thank you note (and know when to do it!)
Print this list and hang it on the inside of a kitchen cabinet door. Add to it as you think of other skills you wish to pass on. Equipping your children is a gift you can start giving now which will pay great rewards and ease the transition to independence.
Submitted by Seana Turner, founder and President of The Seana Method
