Before They Move Out, Teach Your Teen These 7 Life Skills

Are we really setting our kids up for success in the real world? From burnt spaghetti to budgeting fails, this episode dives into the seven critical life skills every parent should teach their child before they fly the nest — unless you want them boomeranging back! This is the essential parenting checklist for raising capable, confident, and independent adults.

KEY POINTS

1. Get Organised & Be Productive
   Teens need to know how to manage time, set alarms, prioritise, and follow through on responsibilities — no one else is going to do it for them.
2. Keep a Tidy House & Maintain Hygiene
   Basic cleaning and personal hygiene habits matter. No one wants to live with (or date) someone who never cleans the bathroom.
3. Cook Three Basic Meals
   Two-minute noodles don't count! Being able to whip up three decent meals is a non-negotiable adulting skill.
4. Research & Make Informed Decisions
   From phone plans to uni courses, help your teen learn how to ask questions, compare options, and confidently choose what's right.
5. Understand Basic Budgeting
   Track spending, avoid debt traps, and save for goals — money smarts start at home.
6. Regulate Emotions
   Teach your teen to handle stress, setbacks, and big feelings without a meltdown (or a phone call to Mum every time).
7. Navigate Conflict Constructively
   Knowing how to disagree without destroying a relationship is key — whether it's a fight with a friend or a tricky work conversation.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“The goal isn’t to send them out perfect. It’s to send them out capable — and make ourselves redundant in the process.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• happyfamilies.com.au for parenting tools, resources, and workshops.

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Do a life skills audit — which of these seven has your child mastered?
2. Model these behaviours daily: routines, budgeting, cooking, conflict resolution.
3. Involve your child in real-life decisions (like comparing phone plans or budgeting for groceries).
4. Use mistakes as teachable moments, not failures.
5. Celebrate independence, even if it’s just cleaning the bathroom without being asked!

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