:: Equipping Teens For Independence ::
I have found as my children have approached young adulthood, it’s challenging to be as purposeful about setting time aside to really equip them. Life gets so hectic and we often go from one “gotta do this” to the next. But our teens direly need that time with us. And I’m a firm believer it should be US. Their parents. Their aunts or uncles or grandparents. We are missing it, folks if we leave the gaps for someone else to fill.
I am not referring to social skills like coping with loneliness. I also am not referring to basic skills like hygiene or acquiring and maintaining a job. Time has an excellent article on varying statistics of today’s teen population and their financial status – as well as the parents that are paying their children’s bills well into adulthood. But here, on Laura’s Little House Tips, I want to bring up the needs in independent life that we often skate through – brush past. Get it done! Without realizing it would best facilitate learning for our kids to slow down. Welcome them in on the issue at hand. Continue that nurturing into some of the most mundane moments of life.
Well – we are all great parents – right? Of course. I am not threatening anyone’s parental worth. What I want to do here is create awareness. A conversation! Chime in with your thoughts please! Because let’s face it…. we’ve all taught our older children many of the things on the ‘honey-do’ list but I want to meet you and shake your hand if you’ve gotten to EVERYTHING on that list… and that list is delightfully endless!
Let’s think for a moment about all those things they’ll want to know how to take care of on their own! Checking fluids in their car. Checking the car battery for corrosion. Connecting routes using public transportation. Sharpening a knife. Budgeting. <free download for budgeting help there because hey, we all can use free help! 🙂 What about checking the breakers when an appliance won’t work. Changing an air conditioning filter or a tire! We could go on and on but the point is, when they leave our nest – we want them to be confident and happy. Not always having to rely on someone else or constantly calling home. (Okay, calling home is nice but I’d rather spend time hearing from their heart about life not giving them step by steps regarding things they can learn while they are still at home!)
We raise poultry and meat rabbits here on our farm. I was surprised when our daughter wanted to be involved in the dispatching so she could add that to her knowledge toward independence! Whatever those things are on the list you’ve accomplished in teaching – well done!!! And this post is meant to jog our thinking … “what have I left out?”
I think that we as parents forget that our kids are going to be out on their own in life sooner than we think. This is great to get them ready to take care of things!
Yes! It’s a reality I keep pushing aside in my brain! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Kendra!
You are doing great! I can’t point to anything you left out. Setting your teen up for life as an adult spares you of a lot of heartache down the line.
Bola recently posted…5 Tips for Getting More Out of Your Next Doctor’s Appointment
And heartache for them as well 🙂 Thanks for the feedback!
When I was in my late teens & early 20’s, I was so glad that I knew how to jump start my car, change a flat tire & check my oil. I can’t imagine how much it would have cost me to have someone else do all of that for me.
That’s awesome Melissa – I think also as parents it can tend to be just easier to do it without taking the time to make it a lesson. Things that require slowing down sometimes aren’t the popular choice.
We don’t spend enough time teaching our children & teens about actual life skills. How to function on your own, to figure things out and do things for themselves.
Debra recently posted…âAnnedroidsâ Has Girl Power!
I totally agree Debra. It’s easier to get it done than to slow down and make it a lesson. Critical thinking is becoming an endangered skill in young people. 🙂
good advice * ty
You’re welcome Cindy:) Thanks for stopping by.
I wish I was taught these things as a kid!
FamiGami recently posted…Our 2014 Homeschooling Curriculum
There are many things I wasn’t taught either. And yet at the same time there were things I had to do that my children haven’t had to be involved with… I feel like the last little bit of time I have with them is jam packed with “come here… let me show you this!” 🙂
Makes sense to have the kids gain responsibilities as they age.
Absolutely… responsibilities and knowledge 🙂
This is so important. Kids should have their independence but also know some tips and tricks to get them buy if they’re in a bind.
Lisa recently posted…New Law Makes Breastfeeding Easier for Working Moms
Yes…. while independence at home and independence when they leave home are two very different things. Thanks for the feedback!
GREAT post! I’m sharing this all over today. My littles are still really little. But the advice is still sound.
WTMother recently posted…World Breastfeeding Week! (Or How to Not Be an Assclown About Breastfeeding)
How encouraging! Thank you! Maybe you’ll think of this post when your littles are BIG! 🙂 just don’t blink! 😉
It seems the more I try to teach our kids the more they forget! But I guess you have to continue to allow them to do things to get the hang of it.
As a mom approaching 45 *ahem… I thought I was the only one forgetting things! Thank you so much for the feedback! – I love it!
It is very important to pass onto kids all our knowledge. It is such a shame so many adults forgets about it.
agatapokutycka recently posted…Alphabet Project | M is for Mango
Good point! It empowers them to be confident! 🙂
This is valuable information. Kids rely on us so much these days and have no clue how to do these things.
Well it’s certainly easier and less work to ‘have no clue’ isn’t’ it Lisa! hehehe…. But in the end they will thank us. Thanks for the encouraging feedback!
What a great post. I don’t have teens yet, but I am going to keep these things in mind for when I do. We need more independent people.
Rach @ Eazy Peazy Mealz recently posted…Healthy Strawberry Milkshake and Everyday Kitchen Essentials Nut Milk Bag Review
Wow thanks for the encouraging feedback! I really appreciate that! Here’s to successful “launching” of our kids!!! 🙂