8 Basic Life Skills Every Child Should Know

The Bible tells us that as parents, it is our duty to watch over and protect our children. Sometimes we forget, however, that watching over doesn’t mean waiting on hand and foot. In fact, the best way to prepare your child for a safe, independent life is to allow them to carry some of their own weight when it comes to the ‘work’ around your home. Here are eight life skills your child should be learning at home.CookingOnce your children are old enough to handle kitchen utensils and hot surfaces without constant supervision, they should have a chance to prepare some of their own meals. Of course, family dinner should still be an important part of bonding time with your children, but perhaps you let them pack their own lunch or make their own breakfast. Learning different skills in the kitchen will give them more confidence in cooking and encourage a healthier diet once they do leave home.Waking UpIt seems like an easy enough task, but often parents let their children rely on them to wake them up and get them to school on time, well into high school. Instead, make sure your child knows that the responsibility of getting up and being on time is up to them so that your child’s future successes don’t rely on you being their alarm clock.Washing ClothesLaundry is a basic chore that every child should learn to avoid expensive mishaps with their clothing in the future. Though simple chores like this may seem straightforward, it’s important to remember that it may not be so obvious to our children who haven’t done it yet. Be patient and watch your child go through it once to ensure that they’ve got the hang of it; then trust them and provide them the responsibility to handle it on their own.Filling Up the CarIf your child knows how to drive, they should know how to pump gas. Another simple task, it’s easy to forget that this might not seem so straightforward to your child. Make sure you don’t always fill up your child’s tank by yourself. Take them with you and show them step-by-step, so that someday they don’t accidentally put diesel in their car.Help OutJesus teaches us to treat others with kindness and mercy. That goes for contributing to the betterment of the whole. It’s important to teach your children a sense of shared responsibility and bearing emotional labor. Encourage your child to step up and help out when they see a peer or sibling is stressed out. Perhaps they do a chore for them, or simply ask them what it is that they need. That encourages your child to recognize that life isn’t just about them; it’s about what they can do for others.Be Their Own AdvocateHaving a conversation with an authority figure can be an uncomfortable task at any age. Make sure your child has the confidence to approach their teachers about their grades in a respectful manner before they find themselves at a loss to speak with their professors in college. This can also double as a teachable moment about coping with disappointment if they don’t receive the outcome they were looking for.Talk to Safe StrangersAs adults, we recognize the difference between the few potentially dangerous strangers and the vast majority of normal strangers we come across every day. As your child gets already, amend the ‘don’t talk to strangers’ rule so that your child can learn to tell the difference between a safe stranger – like a clerk at the grocery store – and a bad one.Grocery ShoppingMake sure your child knows how to navigate a supermarket and find the items on their grocery lists. If you have a tween or teen, they’re likely old enough to run to another aisle to grab five or six things on your list for you.At our Lakeland Catholic schools, we foster an atmosphere of care and an environment of high expectations and effective discipline. To learn more about our Catholic schools in Lakeland, contact us at 407-246-4800.