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.

[mathanxiety]

To know the difference between 'want' and 'need'.

To keep track of your bank balance frequently.

Driving/ changing tyre/ checking oil and basic car maintenance.

Laundry and the need to do it weekly at least.
House cleaning ditto.

Often better to be kind than to be right.

[JulieMumsnet]

Afternoon.

We can see that this is a very useful thread so, with Mardy's permission, we've moved this into a permanent section so that it can be found and used in the years to come.

Wishing you all the best in your aim to train your teens.

[Trills]

How to delete your internet history (they probably already know that)

[Trills]

How to work the privacy settings on any part of the internet where you put up any personal information.

[MardyBra]

Aw Julie. When you emailed me to ask if I minded if it was moved, I'd assumed it would be going to Teenagers or Parenting or summat. Thanks.

[Trills]

That there are more than 4 weeks in a month - so if rent is listed weekly but charged monthly you won't be surprised when it's more than 4x.

[Janek]

aloiseb do you definitely have to pay for prescriptions if you're a student? You didn't in my day [older than she'd like].

[SuperiorCat]

Thanks Julie

[divegirl77]

When you go the GP speak for yourself. Even more so if you are over the age of 20 - or even 30.

[Earlybird]

I stumbled upon this brilliant zombie thread, and hope you don't mind I've activated it again.

Two more useful life skills I would add:

• learn to swim
  
• learn to touch-type

[CarryOn90]

• how to be charming
  
• how to apply make up correctly (obviously under no pressure to wear make up but when it's badly applied it's just so much worse)
  
• how to make a complaint properly
  
• how to articulate an argument
  
• how to cook
  
• how to roll with the punches and understand that the world doesn't owe you a perfect life

[specialsubject]

hoping it is ok to add more as it is now a 'classic'

• that fashion photos are faked
  
• that anything that has to be advertised isn't essential
  
• to ask for evidence about 'too good to be true' claims
  
• never to put anything on the internet that you wouldn't say loudly in real life

[Fluz]

On a serious note (and from my own experience) - when to ask for help with mental health issues. If you feel so sad you can't function, see a GP.

[spamm]

How to write a letter - you never know when an email might not be enough
How to use SNOPES - so you do not fall for the FB scam posts. Some of my friends would benefit from that and I certainly taught my Mom to check before posting

[getthefeckouttahere]

How to end a relationship when you want to in a decent and gentle manner.

(this would have completely changed my life if my DM had done so!)

[blueemerald]

All about payday loan companies.

[bigcomfypants]

I think this thread needs updating, it's a marvellous resource. Thanks Mardy

[Connieston]

How much tax is likely to be taken from your working pay and why/what to look for on payslip.

[3timeslucky]

Form filling, letter writing, how to address an envelope ... they don't seem to need to do this much, but then they do.

[Crinescene]

How to critically analyze information, come to an opinion based on a logical deduction from facts and not believe everything they read or hear.

[PaddyMcGintysGoatee]

Learning how to budget is essential if you want to have an adulthood free from overdue bills and bailiffs. We started our kids on allowances at age 14.

Our eldest (who’s now 45) got £100 a month. Out of that she had to pay for lunches, clothes (including school uniform), days out, nights out, buses and trains, everything, really, that wasn’t provided at home. The allowance went up a bit every year. We bailed her out when she made mistakes, of which there were few.

The other two got the same set-up, with a bit more money to cover inflation.

I can recommend this approach. Our kids have said they were glad we used this system as it gave them room to learn budgeting skills, but always with the knowledge that we would help them if they made a mistake.

[PaddyMcGintysGoatee]

Sometimes people don’t understand the importance of table manners. From the basics of how to hold your knife and fork (DON’T hold your knife like a pencil, don’t start eating till everyone has been served) to the etiquette of more formal occasions (don’t sit down till the host/hostess has sat down).

People can be very judgey about poor table manners, and I tried my best to keep my kids on the right track.

To some people this may sound absurd. But believe me, it can make the difference between getting a job with a top firm and not.

[ChristmasFluff]

At the request of my son, since he has been blown away at the one ;piece of proven advice his mother (me) ever gave him:

The intensity of a crush on someone is proportional to the time you leave it before you ask them out.

[I8toys]

I'm taking these on board now that the kids are off indefinitely