School teaches our kids academics—but summer is a golden opportunity to teach them about real life. Building life skills isn’t just practical; it gives our kids confidence, independence, and a sense of responsibility. Plus, teaching them now saves you from doing everything for them later!
How We’re Building Life Skills This Summer
Cooking One Night a Week
Each child picks a recipe, helps shop for ingredients, and then takes the lead (with guidance) in preparing a family meal. It’s not just about food—it’s planning, time management, and learning to be proud of their work.
Chores Become Habits, Not Battles
Everyday responsibilities—dishes, laundry, vacuuming—are part of their summer expectations. It’s amazing how quickly a daily 10-minute tidy-up becomes second nature.
10 Other Skills to Build This Summer
- Laundry: Teach them to sort colors, run a wash cycle, and fold properly.
- Budgeting: Give them a set amount of money for a project or shopping trip and help them manage it.
- Basic First Aid: Practice bandaging, cleaning cuts, and learning when to seek adult help.
- Cooking Basics: Knife safety, reading a recipe, cooking pasta or rice.
- Scheduling: Teach them to use a paper or digital calendar for events and chores.
- Grocery Shopping: Let them help create a list, find items, and check prices.
- Sewing Basics: Show them how to sew on a button or fix a small tear.
- Home Repair: Teach simple tasks like replacing batteries, fixing a squeaky door, or unclogging a sink.
- Phone Skills: How to answer politely, leave a clear message, or make an appointment call.
- Setting and Achieving Goals: Help them choose one personal goal and work toward it with small steps.
Summer is the perfect low-pressure time to build these skills. Involve your kids, have some laughs when things go sideways (because they will), and celebrate the victories big and small. These are lessons they’ll carry for life.
Leave a Reply