Kids grow up fast. Before you know it, your 2-year-old will be a 16-year-old driving off in their first car.
Ok, it might not be that fast, but with the growth of media and technology today, kids seem to be doing more “adult” things earlier than ever.
What life skills should I teach them?
There are several lessons you’ll want to teach your children before they stop listening to you and become headstrong young adults. After all, everyone wants to raise children that become happy, functional adults. With kids growing up so fast, teaching your children to be self-sufficient should start early. But what’s important for your kids to know? We compiled a list of the 10 life skills your kids should learn by age 10!
1. How to Clean
This is more than just picking up a few toys—it means dishes, laundry, vacuuming, and more. Teaching your kids these skills early will make them habitual by the time they leave the house. Plus, teaching your kids cleaning skills will help you around the house!
2. How to Find their Way Home
While GPS has become readily available on our smartphones, you should teach your kids not to rely it, especially for emergencies when it’s unavailable. Teach them about important landmarks around town, especially those that help them find home in case of emergency. By the time they’re driving, it will be second nature to them.
3. How to Make Healthy Choices
You are your child’s biggest role model—and that includes healthy lifestyle choices. It’s hard to stick to a diet and regular exercise routine, but you can make it easy for your kids by regularly stocking the fridge with fresh fruits and veggies and taking regular family walks.
4. How to Use Basic Tools
When you’re fixing things around the house, let your kids stick around! Use it as a teaching experience to help your child understand how things around the house work. By 10, your children should know how to safely use basic tools like a screwdriver or hammer.
5. How to Prepare a Simple Meal
On busy days, do your kids complain about how long it takes to get a meal on the table? Teach your kids to make simple, safe meals to curb the complaining. Slowly show your children how to use different appliances, while emphasizing safety. By age 10, they should be able to use the stovetop (with supervision, of course!).
6. How to Manage Money
Don’t wait until your child is heading to college to teach them about budgeting! As soon as your kids start earning money with either an allowance or job, teach them to manage that money. Giving your children a strong start will help them be fiscally responsible adults.
7. How to Have Good Manners
No one wants their child to be known as a brat, especially once they’re old enough to know better. Start using “please” and “thank you” when your children are young so they become accustomed to them. The more you demonstrate good manners, the more you can expect in return from your children.
8. How to Show Gratitude
There’s a thin line between giving your kids the best in life and spoiling them. Teach your children to be grateful by reminding them of the blessings in their lives. By planting the seeds of gratitude early, your kids will be better at showing their gratitude as adults.
9. How to Advocate for Themselves
You won’t always there to speak up for your children. Once your kids start going to school, they’ll encounter hurdles they’ll have to fix on their own. Teaching your kids to confidently use their voice will serve them far beyond the classroom.
10. How to Write a Letter
While the written word has been taken over by the Internet, letter writing is still a necessary skill. Letter writing translates well to email correspondence and will come in handy when they apply for professional jobs (especially with those pesky cover letters!). Encourage your kids to send letters to family members, especially those that stray away from technology. The correspondence will teach them a lot about writing and patience.
With these 10 skills, your kids will be equipped to tackle most hurdles that life throws at them. And they’ll know they can turn to you for help in the process!
