Technologies are dominating most every household in this world, and kids now a day know very little about what it takes to live in this life. As I watch my friend's son getting ready to go off to college, I was amazed at how little he knows about the basics things in life such as how to pack his own clothes to fit in a suite case, or what to do at the bank, or how to shop for groceries. The only thing he knows was about taking care of his car.
Maybe my friend has over-indulged her son on many levels. However, he is not the only one in the bunch that was ready to spread wings. These groups of moms complain about the same thing. So here is a list of basic things that all teenagers need to know.
Foods
- How to make a list of groceries, and shop for a healthy diet
- Learn to read nutrition labels, and know what's good and what's not
- Prepare, serve, and store food to avoid spoilage
- Cook a balance meal
- Use microwave or know how to turn on the oven
Clothes
- Sew on a button or mend a seam
- Follow the direction for fabric-care
- Do laundry, including the use of stains treatment
- Wash and dry delicate items by hands
- Fold clothes
- Pack a suitcase
- Sort and properly put away seasonal items
Money
- Make a weekly or monthly budget and stick to it
- Use an ATM for deposit, and withdraw
- Balance a checking account
- Apply for a credit card and use it responsively
- Learn how to save up to buy a desired item
- Keep track of important papers, and file them in a safe place
House
- Know where the circuit breaker is and how to use it
- Locate and know how to turn furnace offs
- What to do in case of kitchen fire and how to use a fire extinguisher
- Know basic first aid
- Fix a running toilet
- Know how to use all household appliances
Car
- Know the correct gas type to pump into the car
- Check the oil level and add oil if needed
- Check washer liquid and add more if necessary
- Make appointment for routine maintenance
- How to jump-start the car
- Change tire or have the tools available for repair
- How to check the air pressure and add air to tires if needed
- Provide needed documents if stopped by police
This list may seem a bit dull, but if you sit at many going away parties, you will hear the same issues mentioned over and over again. We take on a lot more because our kids are over-loaded with activities, homework, tests, and many other responsibilities that we might overlooked.
If kids know how to handle everyday tasks, they will have more confident and happier. Get your teenagers ready for a life on their own take a bit of work. You are not going to be by your teenager's side once he/she goes off to college. If he/she knows these common tasks, it would give him/her a smoother transition into an independent person.
But I didn't like how you made it out as if they're their faults that they don't know these things.