12 Essential Life Skills for Kids to Become Happy, Functioning Adults

As parents we want to raise our kids to be happy, successful, and functioning adults in society. In preparing them to do so, we can make sure our children have mastered these 12 Essential Life Skills for Kids. Although some of these might often be overlooked, they truly are vital. Trust me on that.

Disclaimer: This list is not exhaustive. Your children will probably need more than 12 skills to become productive and kind citizens of the world. That being said, this list of essential life skills is pretty good. 🙂

What did I forget? After checking out this list, tell us in the comments what other necessary skills we need in order to function in this world.

12 Essential Life Skills for Kids

Do your kids know how to…

1. Check if there’s enough toilet paper BEFORE sitting down.
   • If you’re feeling especially ambitious, go ahead and also teach your kids to put the lid down after finishing (when applicable) and to wash their hands (and YES, son, that’s always applicable).
2. Cook one healthy, homemade meal.
   • Whether for survival or to impress a date, it’s always wise to have one killer meal up your sleeve. A few tips on healthy living can be included in this lesson.
3. Be honest enough to admit to a date that this is the only meal they know how to cook. Furthermore, they might have learned it just to be impressive.
   • Honesty really is the best policy, especially when it’s hard to be so.
4. Say, “No.”
   • Whether it’s saying no to drugs, unwanted touch, too many activities, or a purchase that can’t be afforded, this is a skill too many adults really haven’t mastered.
5. Communicate needs in a kind, clear way.
   • Yes, this would eliminate name-calling and shouting. (Again, you’ll recognize this as a skill many of us adults still need to work on, especially if you’ve been keeping up with politics.)
6. Say, “I’m Sorry.”
   • Bonus points if they actually mean it and try not to do the behavior again.
7. Read.
   • Our kids don’t have to be the world’s fastest or best readers, but knowing how to read is a privilege of our day and one that can open worlds of knowledge, opportunity, and joy for our kids. Start with 5 Daily Habits to Help Kids Be Ready to Read.
8. Listen. Actually listen.
   • Devices away, making eye-contact, trying to understand.
9. Turn off the water if the toilet overflows.
   • While we’re at it, let’s teach the kids how to plunge that toilet, scrub the floor in case they forget how to turn off the water, and all the other essential details for generally keeping a clean and tidy home. If this is a very real struggle, check out The 5 E’s of Teaching Kids to Work.
10. Lose.
    • Pull out the Candy Land board and be sure to leave in those pesky cards that send the kids all the way back to start, or go ahead and win a game of skill, like Ping Pong, or if you’re really brave, darts. Let the kids learn how to react to failure and solve hard problems because they need to recognize that life does indeed go on, even after sliding down that longest chute ever.
11. Say, “Thank you.”
    • According to experience and research, sincere gratitude has immense power to help our children lead happy lives. But if you’re not already convinced of that, this seven-minute video about an experiment in gratitude will change your perspective.
12. Feel loved and love others.
    • This, after-all, is the essence of a fulfilling life. It’s true what they say: “All You Need is Love.”

How to Teach Kids Essential Life Skills

We are all working so hard at this oftentimes difficult, fulltime job that we call parenting. The many expectations we have for ourselves or feel others have for us can be really overwhelming.

However, we can find simple ways to teach important skills as we go through the daily activities of living. We can talk about honesty as we drive to activities, lead by example when it comes to listening, or invite our kids to cook a healthy meal with us.

Related: How Busy Parents Can Teach Important Life Lessons

Additionally, families can build a tradition of meeting together to learn and play. This habit can provide opportunities for sharing life lessons and forming lasting memories. For ideas to get started, check out 6 Tips for Family Time that Teaches Life’s Most Important Lessons.

Remember This

Most importantly, we can love our children well and try our best to help them love others. Essential Skill #12 is essential for us too. This includes loving ourselves as well.

Be kind to yourself. Know that even on days when it doesn’t feel like it, you are doing a great work. You are raising a child with essential life skills to be a kind, competent adult, who never gets stranded in the bathroom without toilet paper.

Are these skills essential for your life? What should I add to the list? Share in the comments!

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