Domestic Duty Basics
Budgeting
No matter how much money your child has available per month, she should know how to budget and spend wisely. "The premise is always the same," said Leslie. "You should not spend more than you earn." Your child should know how to budget for food, entertainment, travel and educational costs. Fire up a spreadsheet and start the process the summer before she leaves.
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Meal Planning
Even if your child takes advantage of his college's meal plan, there will be moments when he'll need to eat a meal (or snack) in the dorm room. He should know how to plan healthy meals and snacks ahead of time to save both time and money. This is a life skill all should have, but is especially pertinent to those living in apartments. Provide a book of simple family recipes to help him build grocery lists.
Cooking
While having ingredients and food on hand is one thing, it's difficult to put them to use if you are lacking in the how-to-cook department. "Being able to cook is not a college skill, but a life skill," said Leslie. Your child should have the confidence and know-how to follow a recipe and use various kitchen appliances. Pass on some basics on boiling eggs, cooking pasta, sautéing veggies and browning meat. This is mainly true for those living in apartments, though some dormitories also provide shared kitchens.
Organizational Skills
From storing textbooks to organizing your personal belongings, it's important to make sure everything has its place. Not only does a clean space make for a more pleasant environment, it makes studying and relaxing easier — and will keep the roommate happy in the bargain. Work on a project at home and show her how it's done.
Cleaning Skills
Cleaning up after yourself is one of the most important domestic skills anyone can have. It's wise to clean up messes as you make them to keep your room from becoming overwhelmingly unkempt. Knowing how to dust, vacuum, wash dishes and keep the bathroom clean are all important, noted Martin.
Using Tools
From hanging pictures on dorm walls to putting together a futon, it's handy to know a thing or two about using tools. Providing your kid with a basic tool kit and some lessons on safely using those tools will enable him to handle minor repairs and dorm improvement projects. Try building a loft together to hammer home those skills.
