6 things every teen boy should know how to do
You probably don’t want to think about your ‘baby’ flying the nest but it’s a good idea to make sure that when the time does come, he’s got what it takes to live as an independent adult.
1. Cook a simple meal
Your son doesn’t need to be a budding Master Chef but he does need to be able to rustle up supper for himself. Start with the easy stuff like pasta and bottled sauce and then progress to the likes of Spaghetti Bolognese and sausages and mash.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, don’t forget our handy recipe finder.
2. Shave properly
Your son’s got years of shaving ahead of him so it’s a good idea to make sure he knows what he’s doing.
Start by getting him a good razor. The Gillette Fusion Proglide has unique Flexball technology which gets into every contour and makes shaving a cinch even for newbies.
And how about suggesting he checks out our tips on how to get a close shave?.
3. Manage his money
Budgeting skills aren’t likely to be high on your teen’s priority list, but being smart about money is important for all of us.
There are lots of ways you can help. Maybe you could give him more financial responsibility by increasing his allowance on the understanding that he has to buy more for himself including toiletries and clothes? It’s amazing how much more kids tend to think about whether they really need those expensive trainers when it’s their money not yours!
Encouraging your son to get a Saturday job is also a good idea. There’s nothing like collecting a paycheck to make you think more about the value of money.
Don’t forget to encourage him to save too. Some parents even reward their kids when their savings hit certain amounts.
4. Basic bike/car maintenance
Lots of teenagers can’t live without their bikes. But does your son know his inner tube from his worn brake pads?
If he’s started driving, he should know basic car maintenance too. The time to learn how to change a tyre is not at 1am by the side of a motorway!
5. Do laundry
Let’s face it, a lot of us have teenagers who think their clean clothes come courtesy of the Washing Fairy!
Now’s the time to show him how to use the washing machine. Encourage him to put this knowledge into practise even if it does mean the odd white wash turned pink because of a stray red sock!
It’s a good idea to teach your son how to iron a shirt too. He’s going to need to one day… even if it’s just for a job interview.
6. Writing a proper thank you note
In this world of texts and emails, it’s easy to think that the handwritten note has had its day. But there are times when there’s really nothing else that will do. That’s why it’s important to make your son put pen to paper to Auntie Jenny. He may not thank you now ...
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Have we missed any must-have life skills? We’d love to hear from you.