As a parent, you want to protect your kids from anything that could potentially cause them any kind of harm. But, this isn’t always going to be possible, and they’re going to have to take those steps into the world with your help and guidance, but you cannot make the choices for them. This is going to be hard, but the only thing that you can really do is make sure that you have prepared them for what is to come. In this article, we are going to be looking at some of these changes that you are going to need to prepare them for, and how you can do this. Keep reading if you want to find out more about preparing your kids for adulthood.
Preparing Your Kids for Adulthood:
They Will Be Moving Out One Day
Everyone moves out from living with their parents at some point. Even though you might be glad to finally have some space to yourself, it’s also not going to be easy when they actually leave. Whether you are thrilled to finally have some free time or you are dreading the empty nest, hopefully, your kids will turn to you for advice. If you have raised them in a Christian household, and you have taught them to follow the guidance of Holy Spirit, you will have less trouble with the actual moving on.
However, you can still offer help when it comes to finding a place to move to, whether this is college or somewhere else. Additionally, just be there to support their decisions about where they want to live. Furthermore, teach them how to find the best accommodations possible in the best area that they can afford. You can begin to direct them well before they are ready to move out by asking questions about what type of housing they will want to live in, what style of decorating they like, and other questions that will get them thinking and dreaming about living on their own.
A lot of this they’re going to have to do on their own like finding new furniture, paying their rent, securing the place and so on, but you can be there to help along the way. You can help them with the physical act of moving. Furthermore, let them know you will be available to help organize their household if they want your assistance. Remember, just because they aren’t living with you anymore, doesn’t mean they aren’t your babies.
Follow their leading in how much they want you to help. Additionally, do not be upset if they don’t want much help. Your child may be anxious to prove to themselves and you that they are capable of being an adult.
Falling In Love Will Happen When You Least Expect It
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Another thing that’s going to happen at some point is that they are going to fall in love. How ready are you for preparing your child for this next step in adulthood? Let’s face it, love can be hard because it doesn’t always end happily. You may not realize it yet, but watching your child with a broken heart is worse than if it was your failed relationship. You will want to pick up the pieces and there may not be much you can do to help them. Just make sure you are there to lend support.
It’s your job to talk to them about love, and heartbreak, and everything that comes with it. You also need to be there for them through it all. But, the joy you see in your child’s face when love ends in very pretty princess cut diamonds on a ring will be more than worth it! Watching your kids fall in love is a wonderful feeling as a parent. Knowing that someone else loves them with their whole heart and will do anything for them makes seeing them in the big, scary world that little bit less terrifying.
Getting A First Job or Finding A Career
This can be a difficult part of preparing your kids for adulthood. Most likely, you understand the struggle to get a job. Maybe your child needs some encouragement to go out and start “knocking on doors.” You’ve got to show them the right way to do this. Teach them that if they aren’t getting callbacks, they might need to put themselves out there a little more.
Furthermore, making sure that they are prepared to get up every day, to go to work, to do their best no matter what their job is are things that you should be teaching them when they are young. However, it is never too late to instill in them a work ethic that they carry with them for the rest of their lives. It’s not always easy to do, but if they are struggling to find a job, then help them. Be there and support them, and that’s the best way you can prepare them.
Sometimes children go to college and start working, and then find that they hate their chosen career. Make sure you are there to encourage them to go after their dreams. There is nothing wrong with changing careers. In fact, sometimes you end up finding out that the college choice gave you knowledge that can be applied in a variety of ways. That knowledge was not just for one career path.
We hope that you have found this article helpful. And now know some of the big life changes that you’re going to have to prepare your kids for.
Reviewing movies for parents from a Christian perspective since 2005. Know Before You Go!
Christian Homeschooling mom – 30 years and counting
Autism Mom & Disney enthusiast