Things They Have to Know

I have a list of things my children have to know before they can leave the house.  This list is not all inclusive, it is a bare minimum, but it makes them think.  I also use it to prove that they can't leave home yet, even when they think they know everything.

1. How to change a tire.

I realize with AAA this might be outdated, but what if they are somewhere without phone coverage?

2. How to change your oil.

I also realize that this might be outdated, but I don't want that guy at the quick lube place to be able to talk them into paying for something they don't need.

3.  How to cook at least one breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

This is most important because I don't want them to starve, but also because I don't want them to come home every weekend.

4.  How to do laundry.

This one is mostly because I know they are going to make a mess at least once in the first week away from home, but also because I really don't want them to come home every weekend.

5. How to find something to eat in any restaurant.

What, that's wacko you say?  It's because if you go out on a date, or with a group of friends to a new restaurant and you are the one person that says only negative things about the menu then the people you are with will see you as negative.  Then, it's very hard to make new friends.  This could hurt them socially and career wise, what if one of those people is the next Bill Gates and you just ticked him off?  Don't be that one negative person.

6.  Know how to give a compliment.

Compliments go a long way with EVERYONE, this can help with grades in college, jobs, and friends.  Also, giving compliments can make you feel good too.

7.  Know how to take a compliment.

It's ok to just say "Thank you" this lets the other people feel good too.

8.  Know how to find the answer.

Sometimes this means the internet, but not always.  Sometimes it means a library, and sometimes it means... da da ta da... talking to someone.  What?  I know.  I want my children to be able to ask someone else for help.  This may be a stranger on a telephone, or in real life.  I want them to be able to clearly communicate a question, in English, with decent grammar.  Crazy isn't it?

9.  Know how to write a letter, with instructions.

This is a personal pet peeve.  Too many people can't actually write anymore.  Oh, they can type and text and talk into the phone, but can you really just write a letter?  How about telling someone how to do something, like how to get to your house, or how to feed your dog?  These things might be important, if say, you have a dog and want someone to watch your dog and your house while you go skiing.  You will have a decent job and be able to go skiing so you might want someone to watch your nice house and your friendly mutt while you go on vacation.  If you can't tell them how to feed your dog it might ruin your ski trip when you have to pay the vet bill because the high school student couldn't understand your directions.  Just saying.

10.How to perform basic first aid and CPR.

I'm not saying they have to be a certified nurse or famous doctor, although that's ok too.  I'm just saying they need to know how to tell if they need stitches in the gash on their arm, or how to perform the Heimlich if their child is choking.  It would be good to know because you don't want to wait at urgent care for four hours if there's no chance that bone is broken.

When they can prove that they know everything on this list I will let them consider going to college, although this is not everything they need to know, it's just a start.  They also have to know history, English, and basic vector calculus.  It's just a start.