parentingteensandtweens.com

A Community for Surviving The Teen Years

  • Home
  • Teen Dating
  • Teenage Sexuality
  • Jobs for Teens
  • Teenage Problems
  • Parenting Teens and Tweens
  • Teens and Technology
  • Shop

50 Simple and Useful Life Skills You Can Teach Your Teen Quickly

April 1, 2020 by parentingteensandtweens 2 Comments

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest95
50 Simple and Useful Life Skills You Can Teach Your Teen Quickly

Due to the current worldwide circumstances, most of us are finding that we have quite a bit more time on our hands. Or if we’re still having to work full-time, just suddenly from home, there’s a good chance your teen now has quite a bit of blank space on their schedule that could be put to better use.

It may feel like these days are never going to end. But before we know it, life will go back to normal and in no time at all our teens will be heading off to college and and a more independent life.

There are probably things that we’ve thought to ourselves “Oh, I should probably teach him/her to do that when we’ve got a few minutes.” Or perhaps some of the items below hadn’t even crossed your mind, but you’ll be like “yep, that would be kinda good for them to know.”

Oh, and if you think “surely they know how do that!” Ummm, don’t be so sure. I was shocked that my teen had NO idea how to address an envelope. But in their modern world of technology and email, many of these simple non-tech basics get easily overlooked and taken for granted.

Either way, these aren’t overly involved things and shouldn’t be too terribly stressful to teach. But there is no time like the present to check a few boxes on that “how to be a functioning adult” list.

50 Simple and Useful Life Skills You Can Teach Your Teen Quickly

  1. Fill out a form (do they know all the info they would need like SS #)
  2. Make an online appt. or an appt. by phone (role play works!)
  3. Address an envelope (are you sure they know where the stamp goes?!)
  4. Changing a lightbulb (different watts for different lights)
  5. Replacing the batteries in the smoke detector
  6. Fixing a blown fuse (breaker box)
  7. Loading and Unloading the dishwasher
  8. Running the dishwasher (what type and how much soap)
  9. Safely using knives/ Chopping food/Sharpening knives
  10. Ironing a shirt, pants or dress
  11. Shining shoes
  12. Sewing on a button
  13. Writing a check (no they aren’t totally obsolete yet)
  14. Paying a bill
  15. Depositing a check using a banking app
  16. Sending an online check or payment
  17. Transferring funds online
  18. Doing laundry/Folding Laundry
  19. Cleaning the lint trap on the dryer and why
  20. Unclogging a toilet or a drain
  21. Using a vacuum and a mop
  22. Sending a package
  23. Wrapping a present
  24. Setting up a basic budget
  25. Different ways to cook an egg
  26. Using a grill/ Cleaning grill
  27. What medications to take for what symptoms
  28. Mowing the lawn
  29. Trimming trees or bushes
  30. Identifying and pulling up weeds (other basic yardwork)
  31. Checking the oil in the car
  32. Changing a tire
  33. Checking tire pressure and putting air in a tire
  34. Writing a thank you note or email
  35. Ordering food online or by phone
  36. Creating a grocery list
  37. Replacing the A/C filter
  38. How to use basic tools (hammer, wrench, screwdriver)
  39. Cooking a quick and simple meal (grilled cheese, quesadilla, pasta)
  40. Putting gas in the car
  41. Washing a car or going through a car wash
  42. Folding a fitted sheet/Making a bed
  43. Scanning and sending a document using an app
  44. Getting a stain out of a garment or furniture
  45. Signing their name (like in cursive)
  46. Changing car wipers and refilling wiper fluid
  47. Cleaning a toilet and a shower/tub
  48. Dealing with customer service representatives politely by phone or online
  49. Jump starting a car (jumper cables)
  50. What can and can’t go in a microwave, stove, washing machine, etc.

I actually asked for input on this post from a ton of FB friends. I got some other excellent answers, but they were for things that aren’t exactly quick and easy to teach, but probably necessary like financial literacy and taxes. So, we’ll be working on a second post with tools and tips to help you if you want to tackle some of this bigger life skills while your teen has some time on their hands.

Raising Teens and Tweens can be hard. Maybe some of these other popular posts that other parents found helpful will make it a little bit easier:

How To NOT Raise Entitled Teens

Apps For Supporting Your Teen To Use Their Cell Phone Responsibly

How to Talk to Your Teen About Anxiety and Stress

Give Yourself Grace Mama, You’re Doing The Best That You Can

Filed Under: Parenting Teens and Tweens

« Practical Advice From A Therapist To Help You And Your Teens Cope Right Now
The Best TV Series Families With Teens and Tweens Can Enjoy Together »

Comments

  1. Kelly says

    April 2, 2020 at 2:22 pm

    This is an awesome list! Looking forward to the longer ideas too. Thanks for doing this!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. We Know This Year Sucks, But It's A Great Opportunity To Teach Your Teens Resiliency says:
    September 11, 2020 at 9:59 pm

    […] 50 Simple and Useful Life Skills You Can Teach Your Teen Quickly […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Welcome! Parenting Tweens and Teens Can Be Tough, But You Don’t Have To Do It Alone. So glad you are here. >>>LEARN MORE

PINTEREST

Follow Sunshine and Hurricanes Best of S&H on Pinterest.

FACEBOOK

POPULAR POSTS

  • Why Your Teen Feels Like All You Do Is Criticize Them And How To Fix It
    Why Your Teen Feels Like All You Do Is Criticize Them And How To Fix It
  • Moms of Teens, Sometimes All You Can Do Is The Next Right Thing
    Moms of Teens, Sometimes All You Can Do Is The Next Right Thing
  • The Best TV Series Families With Teens and Tweens Can Enjoy Together
    The Best TV Series Families With Teens and Tweens Can Enjoy Together

Copyright © 2021 · PRIVACY POLICY· Website by Moritz Fine Designs LLC

Copyright © 2021 · Tasteful Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • 95