As teens grow into young adults, their horizons begin to expand. They begin to explore their interests more, make new friends, and think about leaving the nest. As they head to college, there are skills they will need even if they live in a dorm. If they live off campus, these skills will be even more valuable. It’s important to prepare your teen for independent living.

Here are five ways you can help your prepare your teen for living away from home.

Basic home repairs

The first thing you can do to prepare your teen for living away from home is teach them how to do essential home repairs. For example, they may need to know how to fix a leaky faucet or change a lightbulb. They should also be taught how to maintain their appliances and other essential household items, so they don’t break down when it’s most inconvenient (for example, when the teen is away at work).

For bigger jobs, give them the details of experienced professionals who can assist them, such as Labor Panes for window and gutter cleaning, plumbers, and electricians. This will help them reduce their anxiety about not being able to handle any minor problems that arise.

Cooking skills

While off at college and after graduation, your teen will need to learn how to cook for themselves. Learning how to cook is a valuable skill, but it also saves you the inconvenience of having to make dinner every night.

You could make a meal on the stove and then have your teen try to recreate it. Working on recipes together with your teen is also an excellent way for them to learn about cooking and experiment with different flavors. It’s a perfect opportunity for bonding as well!

How to do laundry

One big step in living alone is learning how to do laundry. If your teen has never done their laundry before, it can be a daunting task. Show them how to wash their clothes the right way, and teach them the best ways to dry clothes.

In most cases, you’ll want to use cold water to wash clothes because it will give them a better chance of not shrinking or fading. You’ll also want to make sure they know which dye colors don’t mix well with other colors, as this can result in discoloration.

Money management

Money management is the key to success for those living alone. It doesn’t matter if you’re renting an apartment, sharing a house with roommates, or buying your own place – managing money effectively is a must.

You want your teen to know how to budget, save money, and make intelligent financial decisions. Help them set up their budget and give them tips on saving where they can – whether through a savings account or by buying used items instead of new ones. Talk to them about how credit cards work and teach them how to stay out of debt.

How to be a respectful neighbor

One of the most important things to remember about living alone is that you are still part of a community. For example, if your teen is living in an apartment building, they will still need to be respectful of their neighbors. This includes being mindful about what time they come home from work, who they invite over, and how loud they may be after 10 PM.