Life skills for teenagers - what have I forgotten?

[MardyBra]

I have a teenager and a nearly teenager. I'm sure I've forgotten some things I need to teach them before they fly the nest.

For starters:

How to change a fuse and a lightbulb.

Basic cooking skills. Lots of subcategories here - how to make a decent roast, bechamel sauce, whip up a few easy meals, chop an onion properly.

Basic Sewing I'm sadly lacking in this area. Despite my mother's efforts, I can barely sew on a button. Will delegate to granny.

How to tip

How to shuffle and deal cards Admittedly not a biggie.

Most importantly - how not to be an arse

There's lots more, I know.

[MardyBra]

Good point. They're fairly streetwise - have watched lots of Hustle on DVD! But will make a point of making sure they know not to transfer money to people emailing from Nigeria.

[exexpat]

Watching with interest - DS is 14. I'm trying to get him to cook more, and his laundry/cleaning skills need a lot of work.

Has anyone mentioned sewing on buttons and fixing hems yet?

I saw the OP mentioned changing fuses - can't say that would have occurred to me, as I think the last time I had to change a fuse was probably more than a decade ago. Knowing where the mains fuse box is and how to flip a switch back into position is all that seems necessary these days.

[cq]

That the paper bags in ladies' loos are not sick bags, as thought by a naive male friend on our female corridor in Freshers Week.

[shrinkingnora]

How the direct debit/standing order system works. The 14 day cooling off period for financial contracts. How to get up and get to work on time day in day out.

[droitwichmummy]

How to hail a cab

You can get most people to do nearly anything you ask if you smile and ask politely

[Allfurcoatandnoknickers]

My son (just 16) has come back from a residential with the National Citizen Service. It's been fab! He's a y11 leaver, and has learnt basic stuff like first aid, budgeting skills, food shopping, cooking, cleaning their living accommodation etc. he's actually really enjoyed it cos I wasn't breathing down his neck, and hopefully may be make him ever so slightly more appreciative of all the things we do for him (hmmmm....).
The last two weeks of the course are a social action project, where they've got to come up with and implement an idea that will benefit the community in some way. It's a great idea,and definitely given my son a much needed kick up the backside

[MardyBra]

So much to do... They won't be able to leave home until they're at least 35 at this rate.

[BalloonSlayer]

If you drive to collect an indian takeaway, don't put it on the seat of the car, put it on the floor.

< voice of bitter experience >

[twirliedobbit]

Where a stopcock is and what it's used for.

[MardyBra]

"If you drive to collect an indian takeaway, don't put it on the seat of the car, put it on the floor."

Oh yes. And if an item is missing, check under the front seat before ringing up the takeaway to complain and finding it there when it starts to stink a week later.

[exexpat]

Oh yes, financial stuff is crucial - how to compare interest rates etc.

Also how to complain, politely but assertively, about crap goods, shoddy service etc.

[Allthingspretty]

Consumer rights
Hiw to read bus and train timetables

[specialsubject]

how to use a washing machine without wrecking either machine or clothes. With a reminder that the clothes then need to be removed and hung to dry, not left for days.

how to do washing up - it needs both hot water and detergent.

that non-stick pans only stay that way if you DON'T use metal utensils, and DO use cooking oil.

how to close a door quietly, walk without shaking the entire building and come home drunk but in silence. (or don't come home at all).

do all this and the likes of me won't be screaming at them in the hostels on their gap year. :-)

[JammyDodger1]

How to prioritize things.

How to relax.

How to say No politely (and I mean to invites, people putting on them etc)

How to stay safe Online.

and how to never apologise for being who they are.

But on a less serious note

how to rescue wine that has been frozen.

what not to google

and a gem my dm god bless her gave me is

"Be nice or don't say anything as in twenty years your children will be at school with their children" and you'll all be stood together!

[MardyBra]

"how to close a door quietly, walk without shaking the entire building "

If only...

[JammyDodger1]

I have another one

Have the first person in your phone as a point of contact in case of emergency.
i.e
I am down as "Arelass" in dh phone and he is down as "arehubby" in mine as if he is down as Fred how would anyone know he is my hubby and to contact him?

[headlesslambrini]

how to buy a mothers day present - don't forget that one!

[quoteunquote]

How to judge when to phone 999.

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

Breaks out in cold sweat - there are a few of these that I can't teach my kids as I'm not certain about them myself

If you use a bucket to pee in when camping, put wood chip cat letter in the bottom first

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

That'll be litter.
I'm not sure what a cat letter is but I'm sure it's a clever and cunning thing.

[ivykaty44]

you have to learn how to allow them to fail on their own

preferably in a safe environment

we learn from being allowed to do things for ourselves and we learn from being able to learn for ourselves

[TheMagicKeyCanFuckOff]

How to clean toilets

[jazzcat28]

My DH's mother didn't teach him anything before he moved in with me at 19

I had to educate him in the following:

That vegetables can be nicer and cheaper fresh than from a tin
How to work a washing machine - including colour separation, that clothes smell damp if left in machine and how much is too much for a load
How to budget your monthly wages
How to make £30 last a week of food not just 1 day
That bills DO need to be paid and it is NOT ok to wait until they chase you via debt collectors (his credit file is still so poor he can't go on our mortgage)
That Christmas dinner made with a real turkey (not a Bernard matthews reformed roll) is yummy and lasts ages so is worth a few quid more

And the one that will out me

How to make cheese on toast without using a microwave

[SeagullsAreLikeThat]

Not hijacking but re Jammydodger's "contact in case of emergency", I read that you can put I.C.E. (as in "in case of emergency) in front of the person's name in your phone and the police etc will always ring that number first. I have it in front of both DH and my Mum... But it may be an urban myth and not actually used at all!

[Catmint]

How to file household correspondence.

How to split a bill without angst.