By the time your kid’s packing up for their first apartment or college dorm, you want them ready for more than just microwaving ramen. And rightly so. But what exactly do we teach them? Here are 18 lessons we should teach before our kids turn 18. These are the hands-on and day-to-day skills that’ll save your kids from many disasters.
Read a Pay Stub Without Guessing
You don’t want your kids to simply see a number and just be happy they’ve been paid. Instead, you should show them how to actually read a pay stub. Point out what comes out for taxes and Medicare. You should also show them where they can find their Social Security contributions and how those tiny deductions add up. But that’s not all. Teach them the difference between gross and net pay so they can actually know where their cash is going.
Set Up Direct Deposit and Know FDIC Basics
Speaking of paychecks, waking up to find that yours is already in your account is a pretty nice feeling. As such, you should walk your kids through plugging in the routing and account numbers, while also setting up the link. Don’t forget to teach them why FDIC coverage exists, which is that it keeps their money safe up to $250,000. Yes, it’s boring. Yes, it’s grown-up stuff. But once it’s set, they’ll never look back.
Handle Teen Taxes
The first time your kid gets a job, they’ll have to fill out a W-4 form, so show them how to fill it out. This way, they’re not over- or under-paying taxes. You’ll need to explain what a W-2 is and where to find it, as well as why April 15th matters so much. You should also help them file online and show how quick it can be.
Practice Food Safety by the Numbers
There’s no point in guessing if the chicken’s done. Instead, you should teach your kids the magic numbers of poultry at 165°F and the fridge at 40°F. They should also know that the freezer needs to be at 0°F. For reheating, they should hit 165°F again. Show them how to use a thermometer and explain to them why thawing on the counter is such a bad idea. That is, unless they enjoy food poisoning.
Do Real-World Car Checks
Before they drive off, teach them to check tire pressure with a gauge, rather than just eyeballing it. Show them where to find the correct PSI on the driver’s door sticker. You should also show them how to test the lights, including the headlights and brake lights, as well as turn signals. This way, they won’t get pulled over for something they could’ve fixed in five minutes.
Use a Fire Extinguisher the Right Way
Most people buy a fire extinguisher and never touch it. That’s no excuse, though. Pull yours out and read the label, then go over the PASS steps with your kids. These are pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep. You should also let them actually handle the extinguisher so they know it’s heavier than it looks. Just make sure the pressure gauge needle is in the green zone before you use it.
Perform Hands-Only CPR and Use 911
Teaching your 18-year-old how to perform Hands-Only CPR and use 911 is vital because these skills can save lives in emergencies. Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, and immediate CPR can double or triple survival chances before help arrives. Knowing how to call 911 effectively ensures emergency responders get accurate information quickly, reducing delays in care. Equipping your 18-year-old with these skills empowers them to act confidently and responsibly in critical moments.
Find and Use Home Shutoffs
Pipes bursting happens all the time, and when that happens, you don’t want your kids Googling “How to stop water.” That won’t stop the living room flooding. Instead, you’re better off teaching them where the main water valve is and how to turn it off. It’s the same with the breaker box. Make sure they know which switch controls what. But if it’s a gas leak? Just get out and call for help.
Decode Clothing Care Symbols
Most of us ignore those tiny icons on clothing tags, but we really shouldn’t. Nor should your kids. Teach them what the tub, triangle, and iron symbols mean so they’ll stop shrinking sweaters or melting jackets. You should also let them know that the dots represent the temperature to wash their clothes. That’ll save a whole load of laundry from disaster.
Spot Phishing Without Falling for It
All those “Your account is locked, click here” emails are usually fake. Your kids should know that. Teach them to check the sender address and hover over links. They should also know to never download any weird attachments, and if they’re unsure, they should type the company’s site into the browser themselves. Don’t click anything in the message.
Book and Prepare for a Doctor Visit
Walk them through making an appointment with a doctor, whether that’s a phone call or online, and what to bring. This includes their insurance card and ID, along with any medications that they’re taking. You should also explain the difference between a copay and coinsurance. Once they’re finished, they should leave with an after-visit summary.
Navigate Without Cell Service
Phones die and signals drop all the time, yet so many of us are unprepared for these. Before a road trip, show them how to download offline maps and point out how to drop pins for important places like gas stations or meeting places. And yes, they should always keep a paper backup in the glove box. This way, they’ll have something to use in case their tech completely fails.
Make Sense of an Electric Bill
Despite what most people think, an electric bill isn’t merely “Amount due: $XX.” Rather, it has a lot of important information like meter numbers and usage, which your kids should be able to understand. You may also want to teach them how to compare their usage to past months so they’ll notice if something’s suddenly using way more power.
Store Vital Documents Safely and Accessibly
Help them put together a folder with their birth certificate, Social Security card, passport, and insurance information. They should keep their originals in a safe place. They should also make sure to create digital copies, but keep them encrypted. And yes, they should memorize any important details, like their Social Security number. They don’t want to carry the card around and risk losing it.
Fix a Button and Small Tears
A loose button doesn’t mean you need to take a trip to the tailor. You should show them how to thread a needle and make a knot. They also need to sew it back on without stabbing themselves, and the same goes for tiny rips. Being able to make quick stitches will save their clothes from ending up in the trash. Honestly, knowing how to use a sewing kit goes a long way.
Plan a Basic Weekly Budget
Sit down with them and go over a normal week’s money flow. This should start with what they make, then they should write down fixed bills and the usual costs. For example, the price of groceries, gas, and anything fun all need to be written down. Once they have that on paper, it’s easier to see where the rest can go. Just keep it simple. There’s no need for fancy tools unless they want them.
Cook Three Go-to Meals From Scratch
Pick a few recipes they actually like and shop for the ingredients together. Then, show them how to handle the basics of washing produce and prepping meat. They should also learn to season without overdoing it and get the timing right. There’s also the fun part of cleanup and leftover storage to teach them, which will make sure the whole routine feels manageable.
Write a Professional Email
Walk them through crafting a short, clear message that people will actually want to read, which involves teaching them how to write a direct subject line. This will make things easier for the person on the other end. You should also remind them to keep the tone polite and skip slang, while also double-checking for typos. Don’t stop there, though. Practice with a pretend job interview follow-up so they know exactly how it should look.
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