Is Your Teen Ready For The Real World? Parents Say These 30 Values And Skills Are Non-Negotiable

By the time kids are ready to “fly the nest”, they should’ve developed a huge range of skills and values that’ll serve them well throughout their lives. But what exactly are the most crucial ones?Well, according to parents, being able to cook, having a solid work ethic, respecting their elders, having confidence and being kind should be top of teenagers’ priorities, according to a survey by PGL Beyond.Other important values and skills parents want their kids to leave home with include: respecting other people’s views, being able to stand up for themselves and having empathy. Practical tasks such as keeping a tidy house and making sure to keep physically fit were also important to mums and dads, as were basic life skills like being able to use a washing machine and change bedsheets.When asked why it was important for their teen to learn a range of skills, parents said they were vital to be able to raise their own children (should they choose to have them), to find the right partner, to maintain friendships and to get a job.In fact, these skills are so important that almost eight in 10 (79% of) parents think that practical and life skills should be taught in schools.More than half (52%) admitted they have tried to teach their child practical as well as life skills – but it didn’t always work out.Almost half (49%) of parents worry that their children won’t be able to manage money when they leave home, while 44% are scared they won’t be able to live independently or look after themselves. Here are the top 30 skills and values parents most want their teens to have:To cook a meal – 78%To have a good work ethic – 66%To respect their elders – 64%To have confidence – 64%To be kind – 62%To make healthy food choices – 61%To live within their means – 59%To respect themselves – 58%To be able to manage their money wisely – 58%To keep a tidy room/house – 57%To respect other people’s views – 54%To stand up for themselves – 54%To be polite and courteous – 53%To have empathy – 52%To keep learning – 52%To be able to think for themselves – 52%To be able to solve problems by themselves – 50%To spend time away from their phone – 49%To be physically fit – 49%To be able to work with others – 48%To prioritise mental health – 48%To be able to listen to others – 47%To be able to speak confidently – 47%To be on time – 46%To use the washing machine – 45%To choose a partner wisely – 43%To care about the planet – 42%To be resilient – 42%To change the bed sheets – 42%To enjoy reading – 36%In a similar thread posted to Reddit earlier this year, a student preparing to go to university asked people to share their need-to-know advice on the skills every teen should have before moving out.Sharing a cautionary tale, one respondent said: “Understanding the consequences of not opening letters and not paying bills on time would have definitely saved me a lot of money.”Another said: “They should know how banking works. The amount of young people I’ve had to take to the bank to open an account for their first pay check is crazy.”Others cited more traditional life skills like cleaning, cooking, washing and getting up on time for work as crucial. Being able to file taxes, organise a doctor’s or dentist appointment, and budgeting were also listed as key skills.Related...Empty Nesters On The Things They Regret Not Doing When Their Kids Lived At Home'I'm Trying Not To Be Homeless': The University Students Facing Hurdle After Hurdle Over SummerI'm A Child Psychiatrist – Don't Make This 1 Mistake When Talking To Teens

Comments

Breaking news

‘I dressed as Thatcher for Halloween 13 years ago as a joke – now it’s my full-time job’

Metro

‘No Kings’ protests live updates: Anti-Trump rallies kick off in UK, Spain, Germany and Sweden before millions set to march in US

about 2 hours ago

The champion Dodgers are dominating October again. There's more behind their success than money

Independent

Dailymail

Teen yobs set fire to cars, steal from tills and throw bricks at staff as car repair boss says police have left him feeling 'utterly helpless'

about 2 hours ago

Comments

Breaking news

‘I dressed as Thatcher for Halloween 13 years ago as a joke – now it’s my full-time job’

Mystery of ‘crocodile’ spotted in UK river solved after police’s ‘strangest appeal ever’

Terrifying moment fire breaks out on plane travelling at 33,000ft

Fire chief’s home set ablaze after dog chews through lithium battery

Cowboy builder wrecked woman’s memorial garden for two-year-old granddaughter

Putin foe stabbed to death in Istanbul villa where he lived in exile

Ofcom orders BBC to air on TV finding that Gaza film broke broadcasting rules

Shutdown impact: What it means for workers, federal programs and the economy

Work begins to restore power to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

Unions warn Reeves they could abandon Labour if she ‘panders to the right’ with more welfare cuts

Putin wants Farage to win to divide Europe, says Lammy

‘No Kings’ protests live updates: Anti-Trump rallies kick off in UK, Spain, Germany and Sweden before millions set to march in US

The champion Dodgers are dominating October again. There's more behind their success than money

Jason Momoa worked with a coach to speak Hawaiian authentically in 'Chief of War'

Trump's immigration crackdown threatens America's job market and ability to recruit foreign talent

Three men in hospital after 'hammer attack' in Scots town

Donald Trump responds to idea of tunnel connecting Russia and US

Forest boss Ange Postecoglou sacked after eight games in charge

Shakespeare family home damaged by reversing driver

BBC One Robot Wars' Philippa Forrester now - son's brain tumour, painful divorce and return to TV

'Common autumn lawn disease' can be spotted by one sign

Lumo train passenger still in pain years after speeding train slammed on brakes

Princess Diana's dress collection to be taken on worldwide exhibition tour

MIKEY SMITH: 11 unhinged Donald Trump moments as he pardons infamous fraudster

Britain's longest serving prisoner can make calls from his cell...and exercise in yard

'Underrated' BBC drama deserves 'all awards' as viewers say it's 'best one yet'

DWP officials to be given power to view claimants' bank details under new law

Beatrice and Eugenie's 'next move revealed' - 'they couldn't live with themselves'

Prince Harry and Meghan served 'wake up call' sparked by 'coded' Prince George photo

'My daughter spent her last days in a hotel with a stranger - her death could happen to anybody'

School staff member dies 'after being kicked in chest by teen pupil'

Dad tells of legal fight with NHS to keep his daughter alive

Martin Lewis advice could lead to free £400 'before Christmas'

Bailiff visits for one unpaid bill have risen by an eye-watering amount in two years

Complete timeline of Prince Andrew's explosive fall from grace

Israel identifies remains of 10th Gaza hostage as body search continues

'VIP airport lounge staff gave us half price - here's how to do it'

Naked man terrorises quiet neighbourhood as locals woken by creep staring through windows

Stone Roses bar rape probe: Police want to speak to this man

Pride of Britain winners keep on saving lives by providing defibrillators

HT1 explained as NHS to screen babies for life-threatening disorder

NHS staff fury as they're hit with parking fines while at work

Supermarket issues urgent 'health risk' alert over teatime food

Lapland UK Santa 'sacked' for being 'too fat' after outfit fails to fit

Kate Garraway shares hilarious response to fans after Alan Carr's savage dig on The Celebrity Traitors

Fury as Israel gymnastics team denied visas for World Championships despite Gaza ceasefire

Parking space on homeowners drive next to the wheelie bins is for sale for £22,500

Ange Postecoglou SACKED by Nottingham Forest after just 39 days in charge - with 3-0 home defeat by Chelsea seeing Reds endure eight-game winless run

Venezuela Fury, 16, says she hasn't met her fiancé's parents yet and reveals what dad Tyson really thinks about her getting married

Panic at 33,000ft as overhead luggage locker bursts into flames on crowded Airbus forced to make emergency landing

How Laura Woods became the golden girl of sports presenting: From work experience at Soccer AM to earning £1.5m a year while starting a new life with Love Island bad boy Adam Collard

Homeowner puts his rundown five-bedroom house on the market for a staggering sum in a move that 'depresses' his neighbours

The new favourite bolthole for Britain's wealth creators: They are being driven out by Labour's 'attack on hard work'... and finding happier and 'more sophisticated' alternative

'If any of the boys were feuding nobody told me!': Belinda Stewart-Wilson who played Will's 'fit' mother on the Inbetweeners reveals what really happened behind the scenes of the beloved Channel 4 show... and whether she's been invited back

Tragic story behind one of the world's most iconic photos of vulture waiting for a starving child to die: How famed photographer killed himself after being tormented by guilt over shocking image

We went on A Place In The Sun: Our dream of a home on the Costa Blanca turned into a nightmare... and four years on, we are STILL homeless

Are SPFs making you look older? We're told to wear them no matter the weather - but experts warn how some sunscreen formulas may be 'accentuating wrinkles' this winter

The rise of Britain's middle class witches: How career women are turning to spells, 'angel cards' and even Chat GPT 'magic' for a happier life

Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury enjoy a family day out with daughter Bambi - after her sister Zoe said their relationship is 'abnormal and not good' in season two of her docuseries

Teen yobs set fire to cars, steal from tills and throw bricks at staff as car repair boss says police have left him feeling 'utterly helpless'