Is your teen preparing to leave home? Here’s how to make sure they’re ready for the many special moments and challenges of the next chapter, whatever that means for them.
- Building basic life skills
School instils in children many vital abilities, from communication and social interaction to critical thinking and problem solving. However, some of the most essential life skills are ignored, such as cooking, financial literacy and basic home maintenance. Doing ‘lessons’ on these subjects outside of school will help ensure your teen’s wellbeing once they’ve flown the nest.
Money management is especially important in safeguarding them against debt, which can quickly spiral and have a lasting negative impact on their credit score. Discuss budgeting outgoings against income and ways to save. Most banks offer special bank accounts for children aged between 7 and 17 so teenagers can practise depositing and withdrawing money and making transfers. Adults can be named on the account as well, so you can monitor for responsible use.
- Discussing post-school paths
Many avenues are open to teenagers once they’ve finished high school, and the choice can feel completely overwhelming, especially if they’re unsure what they’d like to do in the future. Going through the pros and cons of each and advising on which you think would suit them most will help guide your teen to the best option and give them confidence as they go into the next chapter.
As you discuss possible careers, take the opportunity to cover work expectations, covering essentials such as self-presentation and time management. You can also work with them to put together a CV, which can be a challenge straight out of school, and find suitable work experience that supports their long-term goals.
- Highlighting key responsibilities
Early adulthood includes several major milestones, from learning to drive to buying your first home. Ensure your teen understands the key responsibilities that come with these freedoms, so they act sensibly and avoid dangerous situations.
Ensure they have appropriate young drivers insurance cover before taking to the road after passing their test, and go through the basics of car maintenance and legal requirements like MOT testing. Whether they’re headed to shared or rented accommodation or their own home, explain the living essential expenses that apply, such as energy bills and council tax and how to set up these accounts.
- Ensuring open communication
Transitioning from teenager to adult is tough, and even if they don’t show it, chances are your child is finding it more challenging than they expected. Throughout it all, be compassionate, and ensure they know you’re there to listen to any concerns they may have – even, and most especially, if they think they’re stupid.
You’ll naturally want the best for your child but try to remember that they need to make decisions independently, and that might mean letting them make mistakes. If you’ve covered these basics, they won’t go far wrong.
