The time from your child being a baby to becoming a teenager can feel like it goes by in the blink of an eye. First, they're in diapers. The next thing you know, they’re graduating from high school.

A key part of your role as a parent is to help them transition into the adult world. Teaching them the essential skills they need will bring you closer while preparing them for their futures.

Introduce the Working World

Ask any adult how they’ve obtained their belongings and they’ll tell you they worked for and bought them. Ask any child how they get their things and they’ll tell you from mom or dad.

As your child develops from a teen into an adult, it’s important that they understand the value of a dollar and how to earn money. Sure, you can continue to purchase the new gaming system or the on-trend shoes. If you give them the motivation to earn their money to reap the reward, it will instill in them a good work ethic.

Teach Financial Management

Most school programs aren’t going to teach teens how to manage their finances. In addition to a good work ethic, it’s important to teach them what to do with their earnings.

Without a life lesson, most teens will spend all of their money on possessions. Understanding the importance of having a savings account and making a budget is necessary as they transition to having to take care of themselves.

One essential skill to have early on is investing. Starting young allows for maximum growth and compounding interest. Having money in their savings and retirement will help keep them secure throughout adulthood.

Discuss Studying and Higher Education

The typical course for many teens is to finish high school and go on to college. Studying isn’t something that is inherited naturally. They’re busy with extracurricular activities, hobbies, friend time, and potentially work.

Teaching them how to work their schedule around for maximum productivity and studying is essential. This will be handy for the remainder of high school, but also in college. It will even be useful whenever they want to learn a new skill set.

Encourage Social Networking

As an adult, you’ve probably heard the phrase “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Having friends will always be important and that tends to be less of an issue for most teens. They have someone in their corner that they consider a friend.

It’s the broader sense of social networking that they struggle with. The teen years are when they're exposed to different networks of people. Maintaining those relationships will be helpful in the upcoming different phases of life.

Encourage them to branch out to different social groups, at least for acquaintances. Suggest trying new activities to meet new people.

Teach Them the Power of Saying No

One problem adults face today is trying to take on too much. Unfortunately, this comes with negative side effects. There’s high stress, little time, poor work life balance, etc.

Your teen is an innocent newcomer to the adult world and will default to that same pattern if not told otherwise. Teach your teen that it's ok to say no. Help them understand the types of things that they will need to bite the bullet for and those that they can comfortably decline. By doing so, you’ll help them become their own advocate, especially when you no longer can be.

Help Them Develop Basic Household Skills

As they enter adulthood and living on their own, one of the best skills you can teach is how to maintain a household. Make sure your teen knows the basics: how to do laundry, how to grocery shop, how to prepare a couple of different dinner dishes, and what to do in the event of an emergency.

Are you looking for some guidance on working with your teen? Contact us today to learn more about teen therapy.

How to Help Your Teen Develop Essential Skills for Adulthood