Help Your Teen Become Independent: 6 Important Life Skills Parents Should Teach Their Teens

It is normal for parents to be protective and to try providing everything for their kids. However, overparenting and over-sheltering kids can make them too dependent on their parents.

PARENTING shared some important life skills parents should teach their teens. By helping kids master these basic skills, teens will become more independent and less helpless in their everyday lives.

1. Cook or prepare meals.

Many teens depend too much on their parents and nannies for their every meal and snack. Although parents are still going to be the ones who will usually prepare the meals, it is much better if your kids can make their own once in a while or whenever necessary. Asking them to help you prepare meals will help them familiarize themselves with the kitchen and the different ingredients.

2. Let them wake up by themselves.

Parents need to stop being their kids' personal alarm clocks when they reach high school. By doing this, parents are teaching their teens that their time is in their hands.

3. Do laundry.

"When teaching teens basic chores like laundry, we have to be careful not to be snippy and make them feel bad about not knowing how to do it yet," the site advised. "Instead, show them the ropes, watch them do it themselves once to make sure they've got it, and then let them handle it on their own."

"Achieving independence is an essential part of your child's journey to adulthood," Raising Children noted. "But they still need your guidance and support, too."

4. Drive a car.

Driving is one of the most useful life skills that parents could teach their children. Changing tires and pumping gas are also important for teens to master.

5. Saving money and pitching in.

Teens should start saving some of their cash allowances during high school. It will help them learn the value of money and proper budgeting.

You can also require them to pitch in a small amount for the household bills. This can make teens become more aware and responsible for the household expenses.

6. Use public transportation.

You cannot drive them to their destinations and pick them up all the time for the rest of their lives. During high school, teens need to learn how to navigate around the city without the use of a car.

Are there other important life skills parents need to teach their teens that the list has missed? Share them by posting in the comments section below.