It is something we don’t like to focus on too much, our children are only small for a tiny amount of time. Yet, one of our jobs as parents or carers is to prepare them for adult life.
We will likely be the ones they call when things happen – both big and small. The ones that when they feel like everything is going wrong, help them to pick themselves up and dust themselves off again.
Being an adult isn’t always fun, there are a lot of responsibilities that need to be handled. As our children get older, it is down to us to make sure that they can function and thrive as they grow.
Work
There are more options for a great working life than ever before, but if you don’t know where to look, how can you maximize those opportunities?
While an 8-year-old might say they want to be an astronaut, a 15-year-old might be really struggling with all of the options.
Working through applications for colleges or their first job are big moments, and if you help them to fill the forms out – you’re already doing a lot.
Help them think about what they are good at, what they love, and what they want to explore further.
Often we don’t know we want to be computer programmers until it falls in our lap.
Spend time researching with them and talk about your work’s practicalities.
Living
Most children dream about moving away from home as soon as possible; they want to taste the freedom it brings. Understanding the real estate market, how much a deposit for a house will cost, and even how to houseshare well are all important parts of learning to live alone.
You can help prepare them by creating a box (in secret) that has the simple things in life that might make that first big move smoother.
Think about everything you wish you had known ahead of moving into your first home, and make sure you impart that knowledge.
People skills
Your children’s ability to work with other people and flourish in a team environment will start at home.
As a parent, you will have a monumental impact on how your child communicates. But you can further help to foster good communication by studying together and reading about what effective communication looks like.
Building relationships, even with people who don’t really like you or enjoy your company, is a skill that you can’t be without.
Motivation
If there is no get-up-and-go, then it is hard to get anything done. No one is motivated to achieve 24/7, but you can demonstrate what motivation looks like. Talk about some of the motivators in life, one of the most obvious is a job to pay the bills. Other motivations can be a sense of purpose, belonging, or doing good in the world.
Motivation can account for much of what your child can accomplish. Help them find their own motivators and fan those flames.
When it comes to your child’s future, it can also be essential that both you and them understand how money can make more money, read more: How to Invest for a Brighter Future.
Speak Your Mind