17 things I have to teach my teenage daughters, starting now!
| February 1, 2012 | Filled under Momwich Blabs |
Another round of birthdays just came and went around here.
I can close my eyes and refuse to watch if I want to, but the truth is, my daughters are growing up.
It’s been a harsh realization that I maybe haven’t taught them everything they need to know before they flock the nest. With the oldest leaving for college in right at two years, it’s a significant issue. Sure, we’ve brushed on most subjects. But if tomorrow their dads and I were not here and they were forced out into the world, have they established the skills necessary to actually function. Sure, they know how to set an alarm clock, how to pour a bowl of cereal, but have I done my children a terrible injustice by doing everything for them for the majority of their life?
Yes. Yes I have.
So I sat down today to compose a list of things we’re working on around here over the next two or three months. Things that, like I said, I’ve definitely brushed on, but haven’t fully applied a lesson to them daily to ensure that they had what they needed.
I seriously hope you’ll add to the list here with me. I know there’s so much more that teen girls need to know.
18 Things I Must Teach My Teen Daughter:
Financial
- How to Create and live on a budget (living, saving, donating, spending)
- How to write a check/pay a bill
- How to calculate a tip
- How to calculate interest (both earned and spent)
- When to access credit
Homemaking:
- How to sew a button back onto their clothing
- How to sort clothing by fabric, color, and complete laundry
- How to grow and maintain a plant
- How to read and follow a recipe
Automotive:
- To pump gasoline and tire air
- The dangers of texting or drinking while driving
- How to respond to a police pulling them over
(i.e: don’t stop in the middle of a stranded dark road) - How to change a tire
- How to read a map and a bus schedule
Health:
- How to read and understand ingredients in foods
- First aid for cuts, burns and consuming medication
- The importance of Prioritizing, and how to say NO!
Misc:
- How to fill out health forms and applications
What have I missed? What’s on your must teach list?
Brilliant idea! I really wish my parents had taught me to be a fiscally responsible adult. You are definitely giving your daughter a gift by giving her all of these valuable tools.
Jennifer Hot Off the Press..These Small Moments
Thank you, I just can’t believe I’ve waited so long to start teaching them how to be an adult!
Momwich Hot Off the Press..17 things I have to teach my teenage daughters, starting now!
I SO wished someone would have made a list like this and taught me a thing or two before I moved out at 18! Awesome idea, especially the financial stuff. It must be hard, watching them grow so quickly but I think your girls are in good hands
Anna Hot Off the Press..Stay Present, This Will All Pass
Thanks anna, I’m worried I’ve waited too long. Neither kid seems interested in “life skills” right now.
Momwich Hot Off the Press..My blessing for 12 years…
This is a great list. I particularly like what’s included in the Financial and Automotive lessons. Those are excellent lessons to learn.
I’m not sure what I would add to it – can self-confidence be taught? Respect? Those are the sorts of things I might add.
Great post. Happy birthday to your household.
Lenore Diane Hot Off the Press..Is it live or is it Memorex?
I love your list! All things every one needs to learn before going out on their own. And i really love that you added changing a tire to this list! I hate many girl/women I know who are completely helpless if anything happens with their cars.
The only thing I might add for my kiddos…To respect themselves, always, and always be true to themselves
The thing is, I want her to know how to change her tire, but I in no way want her to be out on a highway at night. I hate not being able to protect her from everything!
I am 36, and I STILL don’t know how to change a tire. If you don’t teach all of these things to them, I guarantee they will learn them. I didn’t know half of this stuff when I went away to college…and I don’t think that’s a terrible injustice at all.
Runnermom-jen Hot Off the Press..On Being High Maintenance…
thank you. It’s reassuring that they’ll eventually figure it out on their own. I’m not real sure when I will learn to care for a plant though. haha, I have a brown thumb!
A fab list! I admit, there are a couple of things in yours that I er, might not have mastered yet
I think your girls will be just fine, good luck!
Thanks. I’m sure that at 2:00AM I’ll be able to add about 20 more things to the list of things i never taught my kids. It’s driving me mad!
Just reading your list makes me worry that not even I am prepared to be living alone in the world! At least it’s mostly the homemaking category in which I’m deficient. I married Mr. Mom, so we’re good.
Laura@Catharsis Hot Off the Press..All deaths are tragic. Key word? ALL.
What a great list! The only thing I would add would be in reference to “sex”, in whatever matter fits your beliefs.
Jackie Hot Off the Press..Priorities
Jackie. That’s perfect. I have no idea why none of that is on my list yet.
I have to admit that this post inspired a little panic. I feel like every day parenting a teen is running a race towards that moment we call “On Their Own”, so I thought that the list might just might prove one more way I am not measuring up. But you know what, the matter-of-factness of the list just made me feel safe and capable. There are so many things I can’t control about what they learn, but here are some great things I CAN teach them. Thanks, Erin
Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms Hot Off the Press..Thank you Gras. You’re Not As Bad As Fat.
It struck panic in me as well as I sat down to think about the things I hadn’t taught these girls yet. I have absolutely no idea why I have just been gliding along pretending their never going to grow up. What sparked this in me was that I caught my daughter scoping out colleges 1000 miles away. Uh. I can not change your flat tire or cook you pancakes from 1000 miles away. SHEER PANIC. It’ll all be ok in the end, we’re all doing the best we can
Nice! How about how to file your taxes? Luckily my mom still helps with mine (and i’m in my mid twenties)
Mayor Gia Hot Off the Press..Photographs: A Modern History of Gia
I can’t teach her what I don’t know, haha
I must add that to my list, surely I can find someone to teach her!
I was never taught how to clean a toilet or iron a shirt.
The second one is a skill I have never acquired (and don’t plan to), but my college roommates would have sure been pleased if I knew a little more about the first!
my honest answer Hot Off the Press..The nicer things in life
Oh wow. yes so important to teach these things. Let’s see, can I think of something else you should add….? Under financial I would add, how to get the most for your money when shopping, ie, value. My mom taught me how to read the grocery shelf labels for quantty, price per unit/lb, etc. Sometimes the stores trick you buy putting something on sale that LOOKS like a better value, but when you look closer, it’s not cuz you can get the same amount for less in the bigger package (or something like that). Know what I mean? I think that’s a really valuable lesson.
Just Jennifer Hot Off the Press..The Mechanics of a Kid’s Bedroom
Great tip! I’m going to make that teenager of mine go grocery shopping with me this weekend. The price per unit or price per ounce is very important, and name brand isn’t always best! Thanks Jennifer!
I don’t know if anyone has said these but when I had foster kids I really focused on sending a thank you letter, job interview skills, shaking hands, respectful behavior in public (you never know who’s watching), online presence, (employers check Facebook now), and credit cards ( colleges have credit card reps there the first wk having the youth sign up for free gifts).
Leighann Hot Off the Press..Time is Passing
Oh gosh, all so important. I had no idea they had credit card companies at colleges like that!
Thank you letter – so important.
It’s always good to know how to flip a breaker, turn off the water main, and what to do when you smell natural gas.
Plus, how to buy a decent fitting bra.
Kimberly at Rubber Chicken Madness Hot Off the Press..My Socially Acceptable Vice
All excellent, excellent ideas. I haven’t taught them that!!! Thanks Kimberly!
Great post! I would add: how to budget with CASH, not credit! Every month I go to the bank and get out the amount of cash we’re going to spend that month, and I show it to my boys. Then we put it in envelopes. Grocery envelope. Costco envelope. Weekly misc. expenses envelope. When the envelope is empty, it’s painfully clear that you’re done spending money in that area. . .works for us.
Louise Ducote Hot Off the Press..Aussie Snobs Reunite