Adulting 101: 12 Skills Your Child Should Know

By Mike Igi | April 29, 2022

As your child grows up, it’s important that they learn the essential skills for adulthood. While some of these skills may come naturally, others will need to be learned and practiced.

Here are 12 essential skills your child should know before they head off into the world on their own:

1. How to cook basic meals

The ability to prepare a well-balanced meal is an important skill for anyone, but especially for young adults. Whether your child is living on their own or just trying to save money by cooking at home, knowing how to cook basic meals from scratch can help them lead a healthy and budget-friendly lifestyle.

2. How to do basic household chores

From washing the dishes and doing laundry to sweeping the floors and taking out the trash, there are many different types of household chores that all need to be done regularly in order for a household to run smoothly. While it may seem like an intimidating task at first, helping your child learn these skills early on will make it much easier down the road when they are expected to do these things on their own.

3. How to manage their money wisely

Financial management is an important skill that everyone should know, and it’s especially crucial for young adults who are just getting started with the adult world. From creating a budget to sticking to it, knowing how to keep track of your finances will help your child avoid many common money-related pitfalls and stay on top of their financial situation as they enter adulthood.

4. How to balance work and personal life

As your child starts out in the workforce, it’s important that they learn how to strike a healthy work-life balance so that they can be successful both at work and at home. This includes setting boundaries between their professional and personal lives, making time for relaxation, friends, family, and other important aspects of their lives, and knowing when to say no or take a break when work is getting too overwhelming.

5. How to find a good mentor

Finding a quality mentor can be an important step in your child’s professional development. A mentor can help them navigate the early stages of their career, provide advice on networking and job-hunting strategies, and offer guidance on any personal or professional challenges they may face as they enter adulthood. Whether it’s an experienced coworker, family member, friend, or someone else they look up to, helping your child find a good mentor will set them up for success as they transition into adulthood.

6. How to build healthy relationships with others

As your child enters adulthood, they will be building new relationships with all kinds of people, from roommates and colleagues to romantic partners and friends. It’s important that they know how to build healthy relationships with others so that they can maintain positive and supportive connections throughout their lives. This includes learning how to communicate effectively, compromise when necessary, set boundaries, and resolve conflicts in a constructive way.

7. How to take care of their physical health

From exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet to getting enough sleep and managing stress, there are many different aspects of physical health that your child should be aware of as they enter adulthood. Helping them develop good habits in these areas now will set them up for a lifetime of physical wellness.

8. How to take care of their mental health

Just as physical health is important, so is mental health. As your child enters adulthood, they should be aware of the different things they can do to maintain a healthy state of mind, such as practicing relaxation techniques, setting aside time for activities they enjoy, and seeking professional help if needed.

9. How to deal with failure

No one likes to fail, but it’s an inevitable part of life. As your child enters adulthood, it’s important that they learn how to deal with failure in a constructive way so that they can move on from setbacks and continue working towards their goals. This includes accepting failure as part of the process, learning from mistakes, and staying resilient in the face of adversity.

10. How to advocate for themselves

From negotiating with a landlord over rent to speaking up at work about an unfair policy, learning how to advocate for themselves is a crucial skill that every adult should have. Help your child develop this skill by teaching them how to be assertive, confident, and respectful when they need to stand up for themselves or their beliefs. Whether it’s in the workplace or in other areas of life, learning how to speak up and voice their opinions will help your child build healthy relationships and navigate the world as an independent adult.

11. How to be independent

As your child enters adulthood, they’ll likely be striking out on their own for the first time. Whether they’re moving out of your home or simply taking on more responsibility in their everyday lives, it’s important that they know how to be independent. This includes being able to take care of themselves, manage their time well, and make decisions without relying on others for help. As your child grows into an adult, helping them learn how to be independent will set them up for success both now and in the future. One of the steps to independence is getting a driver’s license, so be smart and book Cheap Driving courses for them to get the hang of it.

12. How to find housing

Whether they’re looking for an apartment, renting a house, or buying a home, your child will need to know how to find housing that meets their needs and fits within their budget. This process can be daunting, but with the right information and resources, your child can easily find housing that they love. Some tips to help them find the right housing include researching their options online, reaching out to friends and family for recommendations, and visiting potential homes in person before making a decision.

In Conclusion

As your child enters adulthood, there are many different skills they’ll need to know in order to be successful. From managing their finances to taking care of their physical and mental health, helping them develop these skills now will set them up for a lifetime of happiness and success!