This is a sponsored post. I have been compensated for participating. However, all opinions about the product or it’s company are completely mine. Recently, I was talking to my husband about raising our two children. We have had some CrAzY times with those kids! We have gone from teaching them right from wrong to being prepared to being an adult and being on their own soon. ]

At almost 15 and 18, they will be soon leaving the nest and spreading their wings in the “real” world. So, as parents, we have gone from making sure they safely cross the street to how to live on their own.

My husband and I made a list of the top things the kids should know before they leave the house. I think you will find them useful when you are at this same point in your parenting.

Things Every Teen Should Know Before Leaving Home

1. Cleaning The Bathroom: No one likes to do it, but we all know it has to be done. I have taught the kids that you can easily clean the bathroom in about 10 minutes, if using the right products.

2. Doing Laundry: This was a hard one for me to pass the reigns over to the kids. I am such a control freak, it is hard to watch the kids not fold everything like I do!

As if there is only one way, right?! I have also warned the kids that when they are on their own, they may have to go to a laundromat as opposed to down the hall to the laundry room.

3. Writing A Thank You Note: In my opinion, this is a lost art. I have told them for every gift they get, a thank you note must be sent. Writing a letter is included in this as well.

Emails and texts are making communication too non-personal. A letter is such a lovely treat, don’t you agree?

4. Manage Their Finances: I don’t care if they do it by hand or in a computer program, kids need to know how to manage their money. I don’t care which method they use, as long as they can tell how things are financially.

Under this same umbrella is knowing how to use credit wisely. When kids go to college, credit card companies can hit them hard. They make it too easy for kids to get credit at a time when they probably don’t know how to handle it. Let’s throw in how to make a mean, create a shopping list and go to the grocery store.

5. Simple Household Repairs: Every kid should know how to properly hammer a nail, use a screwdriver and change a light bulb. Yes, many children do not know how to even change a light bulb. You’re welcome!

6. Treat A Simple Wound: Every child should be packed to move out of their house with a parent’s help. This way, mom makes sure they have items they would not think to include, like a first aid kit. They should also know how to use the items in the kit. My kids have known how to do this for a while now.

7. Wrap A Gift: My first job was at Macy’s department store. I was a floater, so I never knew which department I would be in each time I worked. One of my favorite areas was in gift wrap.

I learned to wrap a gift, which I found many people do not know how to do. Don’t let your kids throw something in a gift bag and call it a day. That is cheating!

8. Prepare A Simple Meal: I had a single mom, so I learned a lot of things earlier than some kids. Mom wasn’t home a lot, so I had to make sure my younger sister and I were fed.

Let me tell you, we ate a lot of cereal! When you chose the right cereal, you can get a bowl full of protein without a lot of sugar. For that, my kids love the Tiny Toast cereal at Kroger!

A New Cereal I Feel Good Serving My Kids

When it comes to my kids and food, I, like most parents, want them to eat as healthy as possible as often as possible. When I see a cereal that uses real fruit to flavor their cereal,

I am very intrigued. With the Tiny Toast cereal being the first new cereal from General Mills in 15 years, I am even more intrigued.

With no artificial flavors or coloring, no high fructose corn syrup and only 9 grams of sugar, I can feel good about my kids eating this cereal. The Tiny Toast cereal at Kroger comes in two palate pleasing flavors; strawberry and blueberry.

When the kids are hungry and I am working or at the gym, they can grab the skim milk, a bowl and a box of the Tiny Toast cereal, and they are good to go. The cereal is not only delicious, but it fills them up until their next meal.

Oh, and if you are wondering how good the Tiny Toast cereal is? Last night I went in to check on the kids and they were in Caitlin’s room, playing Minecraft, each with a box of Tiny Toast cereal!

Which life skill do you feel is most important for your child to know before leaving home?