Teach Kids These 13 Life Skills Easily While Managing a Full-Time Job
As a mum juggling the endless responsibilities of a full-time job and going through the rollercoaster ride of parenthood, there’s this constant thought: Am I doing enough to prepare my kids for life?
We get you. The weight of raising independent, capable little humans while managing deadlines and meetings can feel overwhelming. To top it off, the internet, our society, and everyone around is constantly advising us on what to do and what not to do.
But here’s the thing. We have learned that teaching life skills doesn’t have to be a grand, time-consuming event. You can teach kids valuable lessons through simple, everyday moments. And, what’s more. Teaching kids necessary life skills doesn’t require you to compromise on your schedule or add more to it.
Let us learn how you can sneak life lessons into your kid’s daily life without adding extra pressure to your plate:
1. Tidying up after themselves
There is nothing more basic but necessary than knowing how to tidy up after yourselves. It shows your respect towards the people and things around you. But this is also something that needs to be taught early on. The sooner your kids learn to understand the importance of being tidy and organised, the greater the chances they will become responsible adults. And kids as young as two can start learning this life skill.
A simple way to build this life skill early: Whenever they finish playing or eating, encourage them to put toys back or place their plates in the sink. It’s quick, and they will eventually do it out of habit.
2. Basic cooking skills
Every kid in every school, no matter their background, deserves to learn the basics about food - where it comes from, how to cook it, and how it affects their bodies. – Jamie Oliver
The best thing about learning life skills is that they are not just random lessons but lessons that last for life. They prepare you for the future and help you survive in a better way. It is essential to learn how to cook not only when you are on your own but also when taking care of yourself in case of emergencies. Imagine the peace of knowing your child can manage on your own and not die of starvation in case you need to go for an emergency and be absent from home.
A simple way to build this life skill early: You are already cooking, so just invite them to wash veggies, stir batter, or sprinkle cheese on a pizza. It’s a small step, but it teaches independence and builds their confidence. Slowly, you can add more as they grow older.
3. Time management
How often do you complain about not having enough time? Imagine if only you had started time management life skill lessons in early childhood. Wouldn’t you be smarter with your time by now?
Well, that’s the magic of knowing how to manage things. In fact, time management isn’t about time at all—instead, it is about managing yourself well. Learning not to feel overwhelmed when making decisions or understanding the importance of time will not only make your child more responsible and disciplined as an adult but also help them better respect you and your role in their life.
A simple way to build this life skill early: Involve them in planning their day. A simple “What do you want to do after school—read or play outside?” teaches them to prioritize without overwhelming them.
4. Money management
Yes, as impossible as it may sound, making your child understand the importance of money and value is possible. Starting at a young age will help them to avoid wasting money as they grow. They will learn to value things and be grateful for them. In fact, kids who learn money management as a life skill early on are less likely to throw tantrums and nag for unnecessary things.
A simple way to build this life skill early: The next time you are at the grocery store, give them a small budget to pick something they like. It’s a fun way to introduce budgeting and decision-making.
5. Polite communication
There is no well-behaved adult without being a well-behaved child.
Courtesy and etiquette are necessary life skills, but very few people actually practice them. But these are things you can build early in your child, and no matter how busy you are, you can easily squeeze into their daily life. Teaching your child to be polite and be a positive communicator is super important, especially when people are increasingly becoming rude and aggressive. A soft tone, “thank you” now and then, and being polite when asking for a favour, can change the entire direction of a conversation and stop it from going south.
A simple way to build this life skill early: Make it a point to say “please” and “thank you” around your kids. They pick it up naturally—no extra effort is required.
6. Laundry basics
We have heard colleagues say proudly they do not know how to wash clothes or days pass before they fold their fresh laundry. Well, the truth is there is nothing to be proud about this.
Knowing to do laundry is a basic life skill, and the earlier you learn to be independent in this category, the better you will be able to survive when you are on your own. Being dependent on someone else for your laundry isn’t an ideal behaviour. In fact, childhood is the best time to learn such important life lessons as these get ingrained better when you start early.
A simple way to build this life skill early: Your kids love pressing buttons, right? Show them how the washing machine works or ask them to fold their socks. Turn laundry into a fun game for them!
7. Problem solver
When they face a minor problem, resist the urge to jump in. Instead, encourage them to find a solution on their own. While we may feel that we are protecting our children and saving them from harassment, in reality, this tendency to immediately correct them, overcorrect them or jump in every time there is a slight hiccup is damaging their ability to learn on their own.
In fact, it often turns them into adults who lack the confidence to take risks or are constantly relying on external validation to know their worth. This can significantly harm your child. Encourage them to make mistakes and learn on their own. This self-directed learning is excellent for building independence and teaching them valuable life skills.
A simple way to build this life skill early: When you find them stuck with a problem, instead of telling them what to do, guide and gently nudge them by asking, “What do you think you can do to fix this?”
8. Respect for other’s space
Teaching your child the meaning and importance of respect is tricky. We understand it is hard, but once they learn the value, they will have it for life. Earning respect requires being respectful of other’s space and time. Therefore, teaching them to respect others will make them more responsible in their actions and words.
A simple way to build this life skill early: Teach them to ask, “Can I use this?”, when they want your phone. This will teach them to value boundaries and be respectful of other’s space.
9. Basic cleaning
Knowing how to clean or keep things tidy is a basic life skill everyone should learn and understand. In fact, it is more than a skill; it is a basic necessity for good health and hygiene. Knowing basic cleaning is crucial, whether it is about keeping the area clean, clothes clean, or simply not letting dirty things pile up. You can empower your child with the right tools and encourage them to learn different (but simple) cleaning methods right from a young age.
A simple way to build this life skill early: Hand them a damp cloth and let them “help” you wipe the table. It won’t be perfect, but it’s a start!
10. Digital etiquette
At a time when there is no restriction on what one can consume online, controlling its impact on our children is challenging. However, that doesn’t mean we cannot teach them the difference between right and wrong. Teaching them to understand the importance of consuming information the right way and being aware of the potential dangers should start early. The sooner they realise that they can be misguided or misinformed, the less likely they will be abused online.
How to build life skills early: While they use your phone or tablet, explain basic rules: no clicking ads and always asking before downloading something. It’s never too early to start.
11. Healthy eating
The value of healthy eating is never too early to begin. Getting addicted to junk food is more manageable if the craving for junk food does not get to grow in the first place. Teaching your child to eat healthy and make them understand why it matters can be started quite early. This helps make eating habits and weight management more manageable.
In 2022, over 26% of children and adolescents aged between 2 and 17 were found to be obese, and Australia ranked 10th out of 21 OECD countries to have a higher number of people who were overweight or obese.
A simple way to build this life skill early: Talk about food choices while eating. Something like, “Carrots make our eyes strong” sticks with them.
12. Empathy
A skill that everyone must have but sadly lacks is empathy. It is even more crucial for children because it helps them understand and connect with others’ feelings, making them kinder, respectful, and stronger in relationships. Empathy builds a foundation for positive interactions in personal, social, and professional aspects of life as well.
A simple way to build this life skill early: When they see someone upset, ask, “How do you think they feel?”. It’s a simple way to develop emotional intelligence.
13. Gratitude
Soon, they will start being influenced by other children and be trapped in the loop of wanting more. But if they are taught life skills like gratitude early on, they will learn to appreciate what they have rather than focusing on what they lack.
A simple way to build this life skill early: Every night, take turns sharing one thing you are grateful for. It’s a lovely bedtime ritual that encourages both positivity and gratitude.
Final thoughts: It’s all about balance
You are already doing so much, and it’s okay to feel stretched thin sometimes. But with these little steps, you will find that teaching life skills doesn’t have to be an added task.
What are some life skills you have managed to sneak into your busy schedule? We would love to hear your tips!
Common FAQs Answered for You
Q: What’s the easiest way to start teaching life skills?
Start with simple, age-appropriate tasks like tidying up toys or helping set the table. Build skills gradually as your child grows.
Q: Can teaching life skills be fun for kids?
Absolutely! Turn tasks into games or challenges, like timing how quickly they can sort laundry or counting items while cooking.
Q: Do life skills lessons need to be structured?
Not at all! Kids learn best through hands-on experiences, so use every day routines as teaching opportunities.
Q: What if my child resists learning life skills?
Keep it positive and encourage them with praise. Show them how these skills are helpful and make them feel capable.
Q: Which is an example of a life skill?
An example of a life skill is problem-solving, which helps individuals find solutions to challenges, whether it’s resolving conflicts, fixing something broken, or planning how to complete tasks effectively.
Q: What is the difference between skills and life skills?
Skills are specific abilities or expertise in a particular area, like playing an instrument or coding. Life skills, on the other hand, are practical abilities essential for managing daily life, such as communication, decision-making, and self-care, which help people navigate real-world challenges and build independence.