Hey everyone, I’m worried about my future. I’m almost 18 and I can’t do basic stuff around the house. My mom always did everything for me. Now I’m realizing how important it is for kids to learn these skills early on.
I don’t know how to cook, clean my room, or even put away my clothes properly. It’s like my brain is wired to avoid these tasks. The problem is, I need these skills as an adult.
My mom’s not happy that I can’t take care of myself, but she never taught me how. Now I’m stuck in this cycle where I don’t want to change because it seems like too much work.
Has anyone else been in this situation? How did you start learning these basic life skills as a teen or young adult? I feel pretty hopeless right now and could use some advice.
In our house, we’ve found that making tasks part of daily routines really helps. My kids put their dishes in the sink after meals and tidy up toys before bedtime. It’s become a natural habit for them.
We also use a reward chart for bigger tasks. When they complete chores like helping with laundry or vacuuming, they earn points toward a small treat or activity they enjoy.
Sometimes they get frustrated or forget, and that’s okay. We just gently remind them and move on. The goal is to build skills gradually without stress.
It’s amazing to see how proud they feel when they master new tasks. My older child recently learned to make scrambled eggs all by themselves. Seeing their confidence grow is so rewarding.
In our house, we try to make chores feel less like work. My kid and I have a ‘Clean-Up Challenge’ where we race to see who can tidy up the most in 10 minutes. We also have a ‘Kitchen Helper’ day where they choose a simple recipe and we cook together.
Sometimes it works great, other times not so much. But I’ve noticed my child is slowly picking up skills without realizing it. Last week, they surprised me by loading the dishwasher without being asked. It’s small steps, but we’re getting there.
I can relate to feeling unprepared as a young adult. My parents didn’t teach me many household skills either. I started small by learning one task at a time, like doing laundry or cooking simple meals. YouTube tutorials were really helpful.
Now as a parent, I’m trying to involve my child in age-appropriate tasks. We make it fun by playing clean-up games or cooking together. It’s not always easy, and some days they refuse to help. I’m still figuring out the best approach.
Have you tried starting with one simple task and building from there? What’s been the hardest part for you in learning these skills?
My kids started with small tasks early on. Folding clothes, setting the table, simple stuff. As they got older, we added more complex chores. It’s tough some days, but they’re learning. Now my child who is 12 can do laundry and make basic meals. Starting small helps build habits over time.
I remember feeling overwhelmed when my kids were little. Teaching chores felt like another job on top of everything else. But I learned it’s not about perfection. It’s about small steps.
We started simple. The kids helped sort laundry by color or put away utensils. As they grew, so did their tasks. My 14-year-old now handles her own laundry, and my 17-year-old cooks dinner once a week.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing. There were plenty of eye rolls and half-done jobs. But we kept at it. Now, I see them taking initiative without me asking. It’s pretty cool to watch.
Caleb, don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re young and there’s still time to learn. Pick one thing you want to master, like laundry or a simple meal. Practice it until it feels natural. Then move on to the next skill. You’ve got this!
