7 Important Life Skills to Teach Your Children

Although your children can learn to read and write at school, there are many beneficial life skills that schools rarely provide. These are skills that all adults and children should have.

If you or anyone you know really struggles with life, odds are that there is a lack of expertise in one of these areas. That’s how important they are!

Teaching your children these skills will benefit them throughout their lives:

Asking questions. It may not seem that important but this is a very important life skill. If you can’t figure out something that’s important to you, you can save yourself a lot of grief by asking questions. I tell my kids all the time, if you don't know then ask. Whether they are asking me or someone else for information, I want them to feel empowered to ask.

• There are no such thing as stupid questions. I also tell my kids this – I don't ever want to discourage them from asking a question if they don't know the answer.

Problem solving is an important skill…

The ability to solve problems. Life is full of challenges. Figuring out how to be successful in school, navigating through a new job, making the basketball team: these are all common challenges we must solve. Life is less intimidating when you learn processes that help you conquer challenges, whatever they may be.

• Avoid the temptation to solve your children’s challenges for them. Let them strive to figure solutions out on their own.

Finding a passion. No one ever trained us to go out and find the things that really excite and motivate us. Most of us were taught that working and having a job stinks, so you’d better get used to it. However, it doesn’t have to be that way! Everyone should have something they are passionate about and if they are lucky they can even find a way to make money doing what they love.

Independence is very important…

Independence. Children need to be nurtured to become more and more independent as they grow up. Many adults need to learn to be more independent as well. Strive to increase your child’s independence a little bit at a time.

• Giving your child additional responsibilities as they get older will help with this. Depending on their age they can start doing more and more things around the house – loading and unloading the dishwasher, doing their own laundry, mowing the lawn, cooking basic meals etc.

Being content when alone. Some children are incapable of spending even 15 minutes without the attention of others. As children grow up, they learn to attach to other things to find contentment. Buying silly things, the Internet, food, video games, and more can all become addictions in their own way to avoid being alone.

• There is a great power in being able to amuse yourself. It makes life easier, with fewer destructive temptations.

Compassion. The ability to work well with others and control our own anger is directly tied to our ability to be compassionate toward others. Strive to be more compassionate in your everyday life and teach your children the same. Being compassionate is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your children.

Dealing with change. Change is one of the few constants in life. Those who can be flexible and deal with change effectively are much more successful and happier than those who can’t. Help your child to learn to deal with change and you’ll be doing them a huge favor.

Schools teach us many things but they don’t teach us everything. These necessary skills that aren’t taught in school can be more valuable than anything we learn during our formal education. Check yourself and your child for the presence of these skills. Your lives will be much better for it.

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