(Flickr/William Arthur Fine Stationary)
So parents, here it is, on behalf of your kids, I've got a list of the life skills they really should know by the time they're teenagers. Time to get started on your kids!
1. Tip a Waiter
If your teen is eating out with friends, they NEED to know how to properly treat waitstaff. That means no leaving a pile of pennies and a mess for the waitress.
2. Answer the Phone and Take a Message
Landlines are slowly disappearing, and phone etiquette is going with it. But if your kid is old enough to be home alone, they should be old enough to handle the phone when it rings.
3. Run a Load of Laundry
My 7-year-old knows the basics of separating lights from darks and how to run a washer and dryer. Your 14-year-old can manage it; trust me.
4. Cook a Basic Meal
It doesn't have to be gourmet, but there's no reason a 13-year-old can't make a grilled cheese.
5. Write a Letter
Whether it's a thank-you to Granny for the check or a cover letter for an essay contest, it should have a salutation and a signature.
6. Wash Dishes
Soap, water, scrub. How hard is that? If they've made a mess in the kitchen, they can clean that mess up.
7. Dress for a Job
The government allows American kids to get their working papers at 14, and by then kids should know what's appropriate to wear in a work setting ... and know that they need to wear those clothes to an interview too.
8. Look an Adult in the Face and Carry On a Conversation
I'm not talking about kids with special needs for whom this is legitimately difficult, but the average teen should know that staring down at the cellphone when someone is talking to you is RUDE.
9. Pump Gas
Most kids can't wait to drive, but they need to learn early on that a driver's license comes with a laundry list of responsibilities. Why not start with pumping gas? It's relatively simple, and unless you live in one of the rare states where gas is pumped for you, they're going to have to learn some time!
