Having teens in your home can be a fun and exciting time as they can teach you a lot of good things about parenting and progress in the modern world. They have fascinating stories to tell, and they are always ready for adventures. While they can be brave and be able to do some things on their own, you know that they will still need guidance.
Parents want to teach them the value of independence. This may not be the easiest thing to do, but it is an essential step in helping them face the real the world. Moreover, your willingness to teach them independence is also a great sign of your love for them. Nevertheless, here are some of the things you may want them to learn as they go through adolescence.
Career may sound like a big word for your teens, but now may be the right time to teach them this. Eventually, they will be hunting for a job, and they need to have the skills that will help them stand out. You need to help them understand how the workforce works — from job application to know how important every cent of earnings is. In this context, you can encourage them to apply for a part-time job or a summer job.
This should be already obvious, but some parents still keep their teens sheltered by doing all the things for them. Sooner or later, your teen will be moving out and living on their own, so you might as well teach them how to cook, wash clothes, clean the house, and simple repairs. If you have a granny flat in the backyard, you can use it as a training ground; have them live there for a week and see how they can manage on their own with the skills that you have taught them.
Setting Goals and Making Priorities
Goals and priorities can be overwhelming, and if your teen does not know how to manage them as early as now, they will have troubles when they move out of your house. Teach them the value of having both short-term and long-term goals — and how long term goals can be achieved by breaking down into smaller, more attainable pieces. Encourage them to write down their goals, put a deadline on them, and follow through them.
School teaches kids the academic side of life, and they rarely teach them the importance of money management. Take the initiative and teach your kids how to make realistic budgets. Teach them the value and risks of using a credit card, how to compute for taxes, and even investing their money in the right things.
Show them how it’s done.
Teaching teens skills that will allow them to become independent should not be done with just words and advice. This means that you are supposed to teach them by showing how things are done. It would be best if you always led by example — that way, your teens will always heed your advice and pointers.