When your child gets older and starts to look forward to the next stage of their education – it is important to prepare them for life outside school and in the adult world. 

Your child will learn a lot during their college prep high school online at home, but they also need to learn essential skills that all adults will need to thrive in the world. While preparing your child for their college years, here are some of the other important lessons you can teach them to prepare them for independence. 

How to write a resume

One skill that is essential for all young people to learn is how to write a resume. A resume is a profile of your work history and skills, and demonstrates to an employer what you can bring to the table if they were to employ you for a role. Your child will need to get a job soon if they don’t have one already so a resume is something they need to have on hand. Teach your child how to create a resume and take this as a good opportunity to update your own. 

How to budget 

One thing that schools don’t teach kids that they really should is budgeting. Budgeting is an essential part of life and a skill your child needs if they are to avoid money problems in the future. Learning to live within your means and to save for a rainy day is important, and it will instill wisdom in your child. Show them an example of monthly incomings and outgoings and show them how to budget for bills and other essential expenses, and how to calculate their expendable income. Doing this is a good exercise for your child as well as yourself and it will ensure that when you teenager does go out into the world on their own they are ready for this. 

How to cook 

Cooking is a skill everyone needs. The last thing you want is for your child to go off to college and live off microwave meals and takeaways for three years or more. Now is the time to teach your child the value of cooking and how to cook simple dishes such as pizza and pasta bake and curry. Teaching your child to make the basics will ensure that they have a working knowledge of the kitchen and they won’t feel overwhelmed when faced with cooking for themselves. 

How to do laundry 

It is a sad fact that a lot of kids don’t know how to do laundry, and now is the right time for you to teach them this before they go off to college. You don’t want your child to come home every week so that you can wash their clothes! Show them the different cycle types and what they mean, how to check for washing instructions on clothes, and ensure they know how to properly separate loads. 

Teach your child these essential life skills this year alongside their education and it will help to prepare them for life as an adult. 

Thanks for reading Jade 😀