Things we did teach our children

The older 3 (19,17, and 15) will not move out not knowing how to feed themselves, although the 15-year-old and fractions (measuring) is still a work in progress.

The older 3 know how to do laundry (DS, 11 is too short to get his laundry out of the washer so hasn't learned yet.)

They all know various home improvement type stuff and how to use a drill, screwdriver, measuring tape etc.


I forgot to put on the original post, some of my kids do not know how to talk on a phone that isn't on speaker... DS (15) could not figure out how to hold it up to his ear so he could hear the person on the other end I need to work on that...

Both of my kids can swim and ride a bike (though the youngest learned the bike a bit late).

They have a strong work ethic and are reflective and coachable, which will benefit both of them in their different careers.

They know how to empathize with others and consider the needs and viewpoints of people who aren't as privileged as they are. They're willing to stand up for others.

They won't starve on their own, though the oldest has put a lot more effort into learning to cook than the younger one has.

They both started doing their own laundry as soon as they were old enough to reach the machines.

They know how to make their own medical appointments and advocate for themselves with medical providers. The oldest also knows how to dispute a bill.

The oldest is good with budgeting and can manage her money. The youngest has a ways to go on that one.

They know how to be happy with just their own company but also how to make others feel comfortable and welcome, and are far more aware of and knowledgeable about relationship skills than I was at their age.

They know how and where to vote.

They're both decent drivers though the oldest was not so much as a teen.

They love each other and have really become close friends in the past couple of years, which makes my mom heart super happy.

I had the philosophy like a mama bird - to raise my babies to have enough skills and confidence to fly the nest when they were ready.

I've done many of what others have said, but my husband instilled a sense of direction in our kids. I have a crappy sense of direction but am glad my kids can find their way most anywhere. Back in the day my youngest dd friends called her SaraQuest after MapQuest because she always knew where to go!

When my girls were teens I made sure they knew how to make a pizza from scratch. I think it’s important to know how to make a really cheap meal that you’ll actually enjoy eating. We also made sure they knew that credit cards should be paid off immediately and they had a card that they used in college so we could keep an eye out on how they were using it. They actually earned rewards so that was a good lesson. In their early 20s they started investing money and knew how compound interest works. 

All three kids (DS32, DD24, DD17)

can sew - nothing fancy but buttons, patches (by hand and machine), repairing a fallen hem (or hemming too long trousers - just DD24 for that one - she's my shortest), basic machine sewing. DS can follow a sewing pattern (basic beginner).

Cook and bake - DS32 and DD17 enjoy cooking, DD24 cooks because she likes to eat.

menu planning and grocery shopping including comparing prices and shopping the pantry/freezer first

yard work - mowing, weed eating, weeding, planting (from seed or pot)

basic car skills - changing a tyre, pumping gas, checking fluids, and so on. DS can do more (due to interest)

basic handyman skills - hand tools, power tools (drill, saw,), they can assemble flat pack furniture, hang pictures - DS32 and DD17 have more skills due to interest

using public transport - buses, trains, aeroplanes

budgeting/money management

driving...right now just DS drives, DD24 probably won't ever (she's been on a learners since 15 - on her 2nd now). DD17 is hopefully testing this week or next for her full license.

housework - they all know how to do not just the day to day maintenance but also the monthly/seasonal tasks and "spring" cleaning.

They all have good outdoor and survival skills - Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts taught those though

One thing that I hoped they would carry though life is to respect authority, but to not be afraid to question it.

I emphasized to trust doctors, but do not be afraid to question or refuse them.
The same for teachers, law, friends, etc. I wanted them to be respectful, but to know that if they felt something was wrong, to not hesitate to question the issue or refuse to 'go along' with what was happening.

I did not want my children to fall under someone's influences, just because that person was an authoritarian figure. It's a fine line to walk on though. I didn't want my kids being a$$holes - but I didn't want them to be led astray either.

At one point the school was having breathalyzer checks and car searches for entering a school dance. I was OK with the breath test - although I wasn't super keen about it... but I told my kids that under no circumstance were they to allow their cars to be searched, without cause. To not park on school property and if for any reason they were asked to be searched - to refuse. If there was any other issue, they were to politely decline any further interaction and to have the law officer call us, the parents. It never came to that - but it was something that I wanted them to understand. To zip those lips tight with any law enforcement interaction and only to say "call my parents or call my lawyer". I told them to never submit to anything like a DNA swab or any invasive search without consulting us or a lawyer.
It sounds mighty paranoid, as I type this... but there was a point where local law was getting a little too "much" about things.

And when they went off to college, we discussed how they would be approached by (mostly religious) organizations looking for 'sheep'.  It was a worthwhile conversation, as some of these groups really can target a new kid that might be a little lonely or not quite secure in their surrounding yet.   They did say later how many times they were approached by some of these groups, who really didn't reveal what their bottom line was - but just wanted to 'be friends' .... 

A lot of the things mentioned above...laundry, cooking, swimming, bike riding, managing their money, etc. Also how to advocate for themselves. Don't be afraid of getting "no" as a response. And don't be afraid of telling someone else no.