40 Things Kids Should Learn Or Possess Before They Leave Their Parents' Home
Most children can't wait to get out on their own, but if I were to take a parenting poll most parents get phone calls from the "free birds" who just left the nest on basic homemaking, doing laundry, how long does the chicken or turkey stay in the oven, and so on - am I right? Of course I am. Before I ask anything I first look it up on the Internet. I must admit there are a few things that I wished I had learned before getting my own place. I wish I knew to keep basic spices, foods, or staples in my pantry, per Mom, as well as have certain financial accounts in place. Even though it's exciting for children, or should I say young adults, to leave their parents' home to get a place of their own, most parents assist the kids in stocking their new place with towels, wash clothes, sheets, and so on. Parents provide tips, do's and don'ts before the kids leave and wonder if "Abby" or "Jonathan" has everything he or she needs. Parents ask themselves if certain situations arise will the young adults know what to do - in other words concern for kids' welfare is always ingrained in parents.
What I've done is compiled a list of what I suggest children should learn or posses before they leave their parents' home and get a place of their own. Items on this list will hopefully boost the confidence of a young person who is leaving their parents' house. Knowing how to do certain things or have certain items that will make some things in life go a lot smoother is a big help. The things on this list are a good start and hopefully will help someone's child / young adult before they leave their parents' nest.
- Make a basic pie crust (see how-to link below)
- How to clean fish (eating is a must)
- Create a hard copy list of cell phone numbers (suppose you lose your cell phone)
- Replace a shower head
- Couponing and making a grocery list
- Own a book on Herbs
- Bake bread
- Sort laundry and use an outside laundry mat
- Change a tire
- Know that it's Ok to take public transportation
- Tie different kinds of knots
- Keep a list of emergency services in their area, i.e., Fire Dept., Police, Power Company, Gas Company, Electric Company, etc.
- Read food labels
- Have a Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Put together or buy a First Aid Kit
- Always keep two flashlights at home - preferably LED and Wind-up type
- Always have a fire extinguisher at home and post on the refrigerator text and graphical directions on using it
- Own a set of jumper cables
- Create a budget
- Know how to change their car's air filter
- Know how to swim and tread water
- How to use a compass (good for the outdoors person)
- Take a how-to class at a home improvement store
- How to start a fire using wood and lint from their clothes dryer
- How to cut up and clean a chicken (eating is a must)
- Get a Smoke Detector and know how to change the batteries in it
- Have a Roth IRA
- It's good to have a pet so a person will know how to take care of a living thing other than themselves (it's good to start with a small fish tank)
- Have a list of remedies that will keep insects away, e.g., cinnamon keeps ants away, boric acid will kill any insect, dryer sheets in your pocket will keep mosquitoes away
- Know how to type (not peck)
- Take a CPR class and learn the Heimlich Maneuver
- Take a map reading class (good for the outdoors person)
- Keep a sewing kit at home
- Keep cloves of Garlic at home (see the benefits of Garlic below)
- Know the importance of Peroxide (see the uses of Peroxide below)
- Keep a list of How-to websites
- Take a First Aid Class
- Keep at least two umbrellas - one for home and one for the car
- Keep a well stocked tool kit at home
- Have an alarm system
Oops, one more. It may be last, but certainly not least - make sure Mom and Dad or a friend you trust has a key to your new place (for emergencies).
- snopes.com: Hydrogen Peroxide
Will hydrogen peroxide cure a variety of ailments?
- Garlic Health Benefits
Information on the reputed health giving properties of garlic: modern science meets folklore
- Making a Pie Crust, Step by Step Article - Allrecipes.com
Follow these tips for making a tender, flaky pie crust.