Life Lessons You Should Teach Your Teen NOW!

Equip your teens with vital life skills before they leave the nest. These lessons not only prepare them for adulthood but also help around the house. Let’s turn these learning moments into fun, shared experiences!

Effective Communication with Teens

Hello, is this thing on? Seriously, sometimes that's how it can feel when you're trying to talk to your teen! You don't want your talks to go in one ear and out the other. Not only is that frustrating for you, but it's annoying for them, too. The key to making life skills stick with teens for the rest of their lives is to have them do it themselves.

When teaching teens, it's crucial to engage them in the process. Avoid lecturing—involve them in hands-on activities. Explain to them how to do it and then have them do it themselves. Let them solve problems and perform tasks independently for a lasting impact.

Key Life Skills Every Teen Should Know

Equip your teen with these essential skills to thrive in society and avoid common pitfalls:

1. Budgeting
   Teaching teens to budget before they're on their own is crucial. Help them understand the real cost of living by outlining expenses like gas, groceries, rent, and utilities. Show them that even leisure activities cost money. A practical exercise is to give them a mock monthly income and a list of typical bills, then let them calculate the leftover amount for personal use. Start with a tangible budgeting task—like managing a clothing budget—to make it real for them. This helps them prioritize spending and understand the value of money.
   
   Here are a few more budgeting-related items that are crucial to teach teens:
   ‍• Teach them about the 70% rule in a way teens can understand.
   • Teach them the easiest way to budget and keep track of everything.
   ‍• Let them learn the art of delayed gratification—especially in an “I need it now!” world.
   • Teens need to know all about credit scores and how to improve them.
   • Don't forget about credit cards! There's a lot more to them than most people think.
   
   Understanding delayed gratification is key in today's instant gratification culture. These budgeting skills are vital for their future independence and financial stability.
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2. Meal Planning
   Teaching your teens to shelf cook is a key skill that complements budgeting. By learning to meal plan with existing pantry items and supplementing from the grocery store, they'll be well-prepared for independent living.
   
   Get them involved by having them inventory your fridge, freezer, and pantry—and then challenge them to devise 20 meals from these items. Review their meal plans together, discussing flavor compatibility and offering praise for their creativity. Incorporate their meal ideas into your weekly menu, letting them take pride in their contributions. This hands-on approach not only teaches practical cooking but also budget management.
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3. Grocery Shopping
   ‍Teaching teens to grocery shop on a budget is a crucial life skill, especially since groceries can be a major expense. It's important for them to understand that grocery store items have different values. After they've mastered meal planning with existing items, they should learn to identify the best deals by comparing price per ounce or unit.
   
   Emphasize the importance of creating a grocery list based on their meal plans and sticking to it to avoid overspending. Involve them in making the list, then take them shopping and put them in charge of finding the items. This hands-on experience teaches them to navigate the store efficiently and resist impulse buys. For a more immersive lesson, let them handle the payment process. This approach not only saves money but also instills smart shopping habits.
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4. Cooking
   With your teens skilled in meal planning and grocery shopping, the next step is teaching them to cook. Avoid the mishaps of kitchen blunders like burnt microwaved mac and cheese by imparting these essential cooking skills. They'll thank you for it, and they'll also save money by cooking at home instead of resorting to takeout.
   
   Start by teaching them how to read recipes and use various kitchen tools safely, like chopping onions without accidents. Then, involve them in daily cooking activities. Have them assist you in preparing dinner, baking cookies, and creating culinary delights. This isn't just about teaching them a skill; it's an opportunity to make enjoyable, lasting memories together in the kitchen.
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5. House Cleaning
   Hopefully, your teens help you clean house and already know all there is to keeping it clean. Even if they do, it's always good to give them a refresher course! Teach them why they need to clean and disinfect the counters after they finish cooking. (ECloths are our favorite to do this! Use code JORDAN for 10% off!)
   
   Share your daily cleaning schedule with them and explain how doing one task daily helps you stay on top of your house so you’re not cleaning all day Saturday. Teach them how to use the cleaning supplies properly and safely. Let them practice all by themselves in their rooms and bathrooms. They'll thank you for this later!
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6. Laundry Skills
   Laundry is a vital life skill for teens, and if they haven't learned it yet, it's time to start! Like us, you might have a unique way of doing laundry that works for your family. Begin by teaching your teens to sort clothes by texture and select the appropriate settings for different laundry types. Emphasize the importance of using the correct amount of detergent to avoid mishaps.
   
   Next, explain which fabrics are prone to shrinking and the decision-making process between line drying and using the dryer. These skills are not only practical for clothing care but also help them manage their budget by avoiding unnecessary expenses on replacing shrunken clothes. Remember, understanding laundry helps teens become more self-sufficient and saves them from wardrobe malfunctions that are funny only in hindsight!
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7. Developing Talents
   One of the last life skills for teens that you can help with is to develop their talents. Are they particularly interested in something that can take them far in life? Get on YouTube together and learn things from videos. The sky's the limit!

They can learn to film and edit videos, take art lessons, do stop-motion, learn calligraphy, take and edit pictures, or learn about coding. Whatever their passion is, you'll be able to find it on YouTube! Just make sure that you supervise anytime your teens are on ye ole tube.
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Remember, these skills are not just for avoiding mistakes but for empowering your teens to handle life confidently. What other skills would you add?