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It would be great if by 18 years every young person could do……..:

Teenager Survival

Earlier in the summer we published a list of things every teenage boy should know. It was so popular that I have found a broader list for both girls and boys about things they should know how to do before they leave home. It was compiled a couple of decades ago so I have updated it a bit, by Greg Banner, a father of six and retired US Army officer.

And here it is!

Teenage Sporty GirlDomestic Skills

  • Cook a traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Wash and iron clothes without ruining them
  • Replace a button and turn up a fallen hem
  • Basic house cleaning

Physical Skills

  • Throw and catch a ball of all sizes
  • Swim half a mile
  • Tread water for half an hour
  • Ride a bike with confidence

Handyman skills

  • Hang a picture straight without making extra holes in the wall
  • Paint neatly, including clearing up the mess
  • Know which tools perform which functions and how to use them around the house
  • Know what a fuse box looks like and how to reset it if a fuse blows in your home
  • Know how to turn the gas or water off in your home

Outdoor skills

  • Hike with friends without getting lost, bitten, sun burned or covered with a rash
  • Make and light a fire and be able to put it out too

Practical skills

  • Type well with both hands in the proper manner
  • Set up your own computer system without help from anyone
  • Drive a car and know how to maintain it
  • Learn to parallel park

Teenage GirlOrganisational skills

  • Create a budget noting that it takes longer to earn money than to spend it
  • Balance your bank account
  • Maintain an address book and appointments calendar, in a book or digitally
  • Set up a filing system

Social skills

  • Start and carry on a conversation for at least 15 minutes with a person you don’t know
  • Speak before a small group
  • Draw an illustration at least as well enough to get your point across
  • Have enough confidence to sing out loud even when everyone can hear you

Human Skills

  • Care for a pet even when it is sick
  • Baby sit for children aged from 6 months to 6 years
  • Aid elderly or handicapped people without the help of a professional carer
  • Volunteer

Orientation skills

  • Get around town on public transport even if you usually walk, drive or are driven
  • Read a map, including road maps, instead of relying on satellite navigation system
  • Know what to do if you find yourself in a bad neighbourhood
  • Know which direction north, south, east and west are without a compass

TeenagersRecreation skills

  • Play a team sport instead of watching
  • Maintain a fitness regime
  • Learn a game like bridge or chess that you can play with your friends for life

Survival skills

  • Know basic first aid and maintain a first aid kit
  • Know what to do if you get sick, especially if you are alone
  • Know when to defend yourself and then know how to be effective
  • Know CPR

Are there any more up to date skills you think should be added to the list? Let us know [email protected] and we will publish the best!

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