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The road from teenager to adulthood can be a bumpy one. Teens are finding their way and gaining more and more independence, but there are a number of things parents can do to smooth the path to adulthood for their teens. From driving courses in Ipswich, MA, to volunteering, here are a number of actions parents can take to ensure that, as teens spread their wings, the landing into adulthood is smooth. Driving Lessons Few things can provide that first taste of freedom and independence quite like a set of keys and an open road. The roadways can be a dangerous place, however, and few things can cause a parent greater concern than how their children will do when they take wheel alone for the first few times. In order to receive a driver’s license in Massachusetts, your teen will be required to have at least 12 hours behind the wheel. Parents aren’t always the best teachers of their own children, so finding a reputable driving school to provide lessons to your teenager can provide peace of mind. Many driving schools offer a variety of lessons, including classroom work, observation opportunities and private driving lessons with an instructor. Financial Lessons The 2015 National Report Card on State Efforts to Improve Financial Literacy in High Schools rated Massachusetts schools an ‘F’ in their efforts to teach teens about money. Massachusetts joined a quarter of all states in its failing grade. Only 5 states received ‘A’ grades. As a parent, you know how critical financial literacy can be to a person’s future, and these financial skills and understanding will be invaluable when it’s time for your teenager to consider what, if any, debt to take on in student loans, for buying a car, or getting a first credit card. Many parents have ideas about how to talk to their children about drugs or alcohol, but few plans to discuss finances with their kids. The good news is you can start talking to your children about managing finances today, and there are courses available to teach teens financial literacy. Life Skills Just as driving and financial literacy will help your teenager when it comes time for him to leave the nest, so too will basic life skills. There are a variety of things teenagers should learn now in preparation for when they leave home. Many of these life skills are common, basic skills that your teen will eventually learn on their own. However, parents can provide a head start on these critical skills, like cooking and car maintenance. It’s never too late to start teaching your kids to be self-sufficient. For example, by the time your teenager is ready to leave home, hopefully, he or she can: - Use a microwave
- Plan a grocery list
- Read nutrition labels
- Prepare and store food
- Make a weekly or monthly budget
- Open and balance a checking account
- Sew on a button
- Mend a seam
- Do laundry including treating for stains
- Fold and hang clothes
- Follow fabric care instructions
- Find a home circuit breaker
- Use a fire extinguisher
- Use all household appliances
- Pump gas
- Check oil levels in a vehicle
- Jump start a car
- Change a tire
- Check and add air to tires
Parents have a difficult job in preparing teenagers for adulthood, but there are a variety of courses and online materials that can help prepare parents for the daunting task. Ultimately, when your young adult leaves home, you hope he or she has a skill set to be self-sufficient and knows when to ask for help if necessary. Whether it’s driving courses in Ipswich, MA, or financial literacy classes, find the resources to prepare your teenager for a smooth landing into adulthood.
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