So, maybe I missed the memo on how to be an adult, but I am just not that good at it. I can handle lots of responsibilities, but when it comes to adult stuff, stuff that parents took care of when you were younger, I am simply lacking in the areas of knowledge and follow-through. Maybe some kids get these lessons from their moms and dads. Maybe some kids seek out the answers on their own. Maybe some kids are quicker learners than I. Maybe some kids make it to adulthood and just somehow have it all down.
But, my guess is that some don't. I bet I am not in the minority.
There should be a class. Seriously. Get professionals to come in. Give kids a class on adult stuff. A class that teaches that which might not make it into the average academic track, but one that is no less important than algebra or history. Don't dumb it down. Make it INCREDIBLY relevant. We can't have generations of people like me running around. Seriously.
What will be taught? Here are my initial ideas, in particular order:
1. Basic car maintenance. (Students will learn to change oil, change tires, know what makes what work so they don't end up sounding like idiots when they talk to mechanics, etc.)
2. The basics on buying a car and a house. What is most important? How do you avoid being scammed?
3. Financial planning. What do all those IRAs and 403s mean? How do you prepare for your future in a responsible way? Where is the best place to invest? What are your options? How do you deal with paying off school loans?
4. Basic plumbing. Can you fix a stopped up drain or a toilet bowl leak? Simple stuff. You should be skilled in such.
5. Basic carpentry and work with tools. Can you build simple pieces of furniture? Can you use a wrench correctly?
6. Preparing for a family. Smart (but not controversial, of course) ways to help teenagers think about what it takes to be a husband/wife (oh wait, we are already controversial here) and/or what constitutes good parenting. (I said this was my ideal list, okay?)
7. Job and career building. REAL-LIFE help and facilitating about picking a career and/or interview skills, etc.
8. Stress-management.
9. Living a balanced life...eating right, exercising, balancing work with fun, etc.
10. I don't really have a number 10, but I hate lists that end on odd numbers. So, we will just add budgeting to the list and/or dealing with insurance. :-)
This would be highly beneficial, and if anyone wants to teach me about 1-5, I would greatly appreciate it.
4 comments:
This is why we have wikipedia, wikiHOW, and google.
I enjoy you. This is true. May I add,
How to deal with parents when you are an adult. Parents could take a class on relating to their adult children and how to make the transition.
Let's start a school of life. Like School of Rock but more relevant (if less cool).
indeed.
Long time no speak, yes?
However,
I could probably teach you #1, most of #4, and #5.
However, I am 2,000 miles away and instruction on these things would be very difficult via e-mail.
I actually intend to write a very brief book of some of these skills and "the things I wish I'd learned before college" for my sister before she leaves.
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