Teens will be teens. And while helping around the house is probably last on their list of things they want to do (let’s face it, it’s probably last on the list of adults and homeowners as well!) it’s an important part of growing up.
In the first part of this series, I talked about life skills teens can learn in the kitchen. In part two, I touched on important skills worth teaching them about laundry and clothing and linen care. In this third and final part of the series, I’ll look at general life skills that teenagers can learn with respect to other tasks in the home.
This includes ways teens can help with the usual household upkeep. It involves doing tasks that they’ll have to do when they’re out on their own later in life as well. What are some ideas? Here are a few for inspiration.
Educating them about cleaning agents
There are so many cleaning products on the shelves. It’s tough for anyone, much less teenagers, to know what product should be used to clean what. Help them understand what products are safe to be used on what surfaces. Wood cleaners are for furniture, leather cleaners for the couch, and tile cleaners for toilets, countertops, and more, for example.
It’s important to note that items like many smart wet mops should only be used with specific cleaners provided by the companies. A good example is the iRobot Braava Jet smart robot mop, which should not be used with any cleaner but a mix of iRobot’s own cleaner and water.
You can also teach them about using chemical-free cleaning agents, like water, vinegar, and baking soda, to clean certain surfaces.
How to vacuum properly
It’s easy to pass a vacuum back and forth on an open floor. Teach teens to make use of the many attachments that come with today’s premium vacuums, including cordless stick vacuums. There are special ones for getting up high on ceiling to eliminate cobwebs in the basement, for example. Other attachments help get into the little nooks and crannies of the floor where dust bunnies love to hide.
A cordless stick vacuum with a detachable head is especially versatile. It can be used as a handheld for tackling surfaces like stairs, mattresses, and behind and under furniture as well as in other small spaces. Teens can also use a handheld vacuum to help clean the car interior. With the proper attachments, it can also be used for things like blinds, window sills, and more.
A combination robot vacuum and mop can be a teenager’s best friend. They can set it to run then sit back and relax, only handling touch-ups after the job is complete.
Taking care of pets
Teenagers love having pets. But cleaning up after them is the least exciting part of the experience. With the right tools, the job can be much easier. This starts with a good vacuum that can tackle pet hair and dander.
Using tech like an automatic pet feeder can simplify the feeding process. With a cat, there’s no way around cleaning the litter box. Dogs, meanwhile, must be walked multiple times a day. Consider a tracker for the pet so teens can make the experience fun, ensuring their dog is getting enough exercise while also keeping track of its location should Scruffy go running off in the park. Some advanced pet-specific trackers can even monitor health conditions and teens can review all the data in a companion app.
Picking up after themselves is a life skill
It seems like every teen views the laundry hamper as a receptacle to attempt to throw dirty clothes in, then leave surrounding it when they are unsuccessful in their 3-point shot. Teach them good habits when it comes to not only laundry but picking up after themselves throughout the home.
Having furniture in their room that makes organizing easy can help. If they have ample drawer space, shelving, and even a desk in their bedroom or other room of the home, they might be more inclined to keep it neat and tidy. They can organize items in a way that makes it easy for them to grab what they need, like a tablet, pair of headphones, book, clothing, and other items.
Teaching teens life skills is important
It’s useful to teach teenagers all types of life skills that will properly prepare them for when they head out on their own into the real world. They might still have many years left before going off to post-secondary school, entering the working world, or taking time off to travel. Whatever the case, arming them with these life skills will pay dividends in the end.
Check out lots of tech for the home at Best Buy Online.
