Skills Every Teen Should Master Before High School Graduation

(Without Losing Their Mind or Mine)

We all want to send our teens off into the world with more than just a book full of half-remembered algebra. These are the “don’t-call-me-from-college-about-this” skills every teen needs to master before crossing that graduation stage. Here’s a blueprint (with a few secrets thrown in) for how to help them, without it turning into a daily tug-of-war.

1. Personal Management (aka Life Without a Butler) We’re going for a self-sufficient teen here—one who doesn’t need you ringing bells or banging on the ceiling from downstairs in my case to get them of bed:

• Setting their own alarm and wrangling the morning routine—because, surprise, their first class in college won’t come with a wake-up call.
• Scheduling their own doctor and dentist appointments and showing up, toothbrush in hand.
• Keeping track of assignments without us chanting due dates like a Gregorian choir.
• Managing prescription refills so that we’re not on call for a last-minute pharmacy run.
• Handling their own laundry schedule—no more hampers that look like something their snowboard down, aka mountains in the Alps.

2. Financial Tasks (Beyond Counting Birthday Cash) Money management goes well beyond Venmo and gift cards:

• Opening and managing a checking account, without us bailing them out.
• Making a basic monthly budget (yes, this includes iced coffee, and takis).
• Tracking their spending on an app, because “Where’d all my money go?” doesn’t count as budgeting.
• Understanding the difference between debit and credit… and knowing which one can dig them into a hole.
• Saving for specific goals, even if it’s just enough for a concert ticket or those trendy kicks they’re eyeing.

3. Household Responsibilities (Because Dust Bunnies Are Not Pets) They may not be Martha Stewart, but a few basics can keep them out of disaster territory:

• Basic car maintenance—like knowing the difference between the gas and oil lights, and checking tire pressure before they’re riding on rims.
• A couple of simple household repairs—think lightbulbs, clogged drains, and using a screwdriver without calling it a “stabber.”
• Deep cleaning their room beyond just chucking everything in the closet.
• Learning to use all household appliances without asking where the start button is (the dishwasher is not a mystery, its actually the one appliance my kid have mastered early).

4. Time Management (Without a Parental Poke) Juggling life without our constant countdowns is the real goal here:

• Crafting a study schedule that they actually follow (yes, miracles can happen).
• Balancing academics with extracurriculars, aka knowing when to skip a night out because there’s a bio test at 8 a.m.
• Making and keeping appointments without a last-minute, panicked reminder.
• Hitting deadlines without our help, which means no more late-night procrastination disasters.
• Managing their own travel plans, whether it’s figuring out a bus schedule or booking an Uber (and double-checking they’re not being driven to the wrong state!).

Pro Tips for Parents Doing the Hand-Off:

• Start with one task at a time so they don’t retreat into hiding.
• Craft a checklist together—it’s like a little treasure map they can keep in their back pocket.
• Be available for questions but stay on the sidelines. This is their show!
• Expect mistakes (they’re more likely than not). Each misstep is one step closer to independence.
• Resist the temptation to jump in and fix everything—yes, even if their way seems like the long way!

Our goal? To raise kids who are prepared to step up without calling home for every speed bump. With a little patience (and maybe a sense of humor), we can get them there, one skill at a time.

Here’s a fun challenge for all you parents sending teens off into the world: give yourself a point for every skill on this list that your soon-to-be college student can handle on their own. Think of it as a proud-parent scorecard! Tally it up, and if they’re not quite there yet, no worries—you’ve got some time to help them master a few more. Ready, set, score! How prepared is your grad, comment below 🏆.