kids leaving home

What We Need to Teach Kids Before They Leave Home

As parents, we always want to prepare our kids and do the very best for them. When our kids are home, we can guide and direct them, but when you have kids leaving home, they will have to stand on their own.

It has made me think about what I want my kids to know before they leave. For me, if I boiled it down, I want them to know one thing. Here’s what that is.

Know your roots.

They need to know the values and beliefs that our family holds up as important. When your kids leave home, whether they go off to college or head into the working world, all of that is going to be challenged. They will be bombarded with messages telling them that they don’t need to do the right thing all the time or that they just should look out for themselves.

Strengthen their convictions.

Kids leaving home need to be strong in their beliefs. They need conviction that there is a right way and a wrong way of doing things. Parents need to reinforce to their children that doing things the right way is important. In our house, we focus on strengthening our kids’ faith in God. It has helped us stay grounded in what is right and wrong. I was fortunate to have parents who prepared me well and it has stayed with me all my life.

Sound off: What are you doing to prepare your kid(s) to leave? 

Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What are some important things to know before becoming an adult?”