On Thu, 3 Mar 2005 20:59:08 EST, illecebra
wrote:

I think that if someone starting college isn't already doing all their
own laundry, cooking at least a fair share of meals, and doing a fair
share of cooking, there are serious issues to begin with.

Or maybe different family priorities?

I think teenagers should learn how to do laundry (their own and/or a
share of family laundry, doesn't matter) before they leave home, and
should be able to cook simple meals, but there are lots of different
healthy ways for families to share the load at home while helping
their young people develop life skills.

I also think they should start learning how to manage money, and
should acquire a good estimation of the relative risks and costs of
borrowing money from parents vs. borrowing money on a credit card vs.
going without. I think they should learn how to read a city map, how
to figure out a bus route in a city, how to figure out intercity
bus/train schedules, and how to get to work or school in a rainstorm
in a way that they can be dry during the day. I think they should
learn how to sew on a button, how to take care of themselves when they
start to develop cold symptoms, how to get as much sleep as they need
even if fun things are going on around them, and how to politely ask a
teacher to clarify an assignment.

What else do you think *your* young people should learn how to do
before they leave home?

Louise