There are practical life lessons to teach homeschooled high school students.
These are the ones I wish someone had taught me and that I often see lacking in older teenagers.
It’s somewhat surprising that I am now teaching a high school student or two and have been focusing on their skills to succeed.
Until now, I have focused on math, spelling, reading, writing, science, and history.
But as I look to see what children need, I have found that I have not intentionally taught practical life lessons that these kids will need to have.
I have explained how budgeting, food preparation, and the washing machine work, but I am not sure they have retained the information.
In my desire to prepare them for life, I am making a list of lessons they need to learn now, and I would like to share them with you.
Life Lesson Number One: Faith and good character are essential.
When asked what the number one commandment was, Jesus gave this answer.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Matthew 22:37-39 KJV
It’s sad but true; we won’t always be around them to help them make good decisions.
And I’ve seen too many young adults lost to drug and alcohol issues, suicide, dishonesty, rampant immorality, porn addictions, and gambling.
Satan has a target on their backs.
If he can convince them that maybe life isn’t worth living when a girlfriend breaks up with them, he can steal their future.
Having a few drinks after work may not seem like a big deal, but it’s a habit that can also destroy a future.
These kids need to be in a relationship with God and know the importance of treating others well.
Honesty, integrity, self-confidence, discipline, and self-control come from a good relationship with God.
Being able to seek out true wisdom in God’s Word is unreplaceable.
If they have this, they already have an incredible foundation!
For more information on pursuing this important truth, please visit an earlier post:
https://www.singlemomoutwest.com/parenting-as-single-mom/leaving-a-legacy-of-faith/
Life Lesson Number Two: The importance of asking for help and receiving good counsel.
Young adults must know they can ask for help and receive good counsel.
There will be many times in life that they need to be able to share what is going on in their lives and how they can handle it.
Some tough things happen in life and being unable to share them means they cannot receive hope.
Being able to ask for help and receive help is essential to life.
This may include a pastor or trusted religious leader, college instructors, parents, and close friends.
Teach your children the importance of asking for help.
Life Lesson Number Three: The importance of compassion.
There is a shortage of people with compassion.
No matter what you do or where you go, compassion is one of the most important things to practice and convey.
The ability to truly see people and to have mercy on them is one of the most important skills in life. They will need it wherever they go.
Life Lesson Number Four: The importance of hard work and dedication.
Jobs, school, and situations come and go, but a good work ethic and dedication to their work will bring success.
The ability to finish a job with the same energy that you started with is vital.
Life and work are not easy. Teach them to expect this and be prepared to go the extra mile.
Life Lesson Number Five: Showing up to life with a good attitude.
I have seen too many young people show up to work with a bad attitude and a grumpy face.
It is refreshing to be greeted by a friendly and cheerful young person.
Teach them success depends on their ability to put on a smile and greet the world with enthusiasm!
Life Lesson Number Six: Teach them how to learn new skills.
Thank God for YouTube and other media that teach us new skills!
Make learning new skills an everyday occurrence. Show them where to get this information.
Teach them that it is okay and normal not to know something. But back that up with a willingness to learn and an ability to seek out how to learn a new skill.
Life Lesson Number Seven: Show them how to pay attention to what they are interested in and what they enjoy.
Life lessons for homeschooled high school students should include self-awareness. They should start having an idea of what they are interested in and what they enjoy doing.
If a person enjoys working with their hands, carpentry or welding, may be a good fit for them.
If someone has difficulty sitting still for an extended period, they might want to look for a job with a little more action.
In addition, let them know they may have more than one career in a lifetime! We don’t want them to jump from job to job, but a well-thought-out change is acceptable!
Having a sense of what they prefer may lead them closer to a career they enjoy.
Life Lesson Number Eight: Teach them humility. The ability to laugh at yourself and to not consider themselves entitled.
This will go a long way in helping them get along well with bosses and other employees.
They need to see themselves as equal but not above anyone else.
And a willingness to get tickled at their mistakes will make life much more enjoyable!
They will also need to have relationships with doctors, lawyers, janitors, fast food workers, and anyone else who crosses their paths. Teach them to respect and care for all people.
Teach them proper social skills, courtesy, eye contact, manners, the art of conversation, and the ability to pass by an argument that does not matter.
The ability to not take things personally, such as a drill sergeant or boss yelling at them, is also essential.
Self-respect is vital, but the ability to go through certain situations without melting down is also essential!
Life Lesson Number Nine: Teach them to carefully care for themselves.
Physical self-care includes rest, cleanliness, exercise, eating well, and safety for themselves.
Emotional self-care includes choosing suitable people to surround oneself with, staying away from disrespectful or abusive people, being able to work with a counselor, and self-regulating.
Teach them to handle disrespectful or abusive people effectively without escalating a situation.
Have them consider that being alone is healthier than being with someone abusive.
Teach them to recognize the Accuser and negative self-talk. Review telling themselves the truth and how important it is to be kind to oneself.
Life Lesson Number Ten: Teach them how to maintain a home, car, and belongings.
Simple skills like checking the oil in their car and how or where to get the oil changed, tire changing, and routine maintenance is vital.
How to care for a home. This includes some maintenance and how to keep a house clean.
Basic laundry skills should be included.
During this time, a lesson should also be given on how to keep a pet and how to treat and care for a pet.
Life Lesson Number Eleven: Teach them essential financial skills.
One of my favorite things about homeschooling is that you can fine-tune basic life skills.
Financial skills include tithing, not going into debt, being able to consider starting a business, balancing a checking account, using a debit card, and living on a budget.
These skills will bless them their entire lives!
Teach your children the importance of goal setting. Have them consider where they want to be in five years. The ability to think ahead and write these goals down is essential.
Show them how to manage their time, such as getting up early, working on weekends, and setting aside time to work on a large project instead of cramming the work into one night.
Life Lesson Number Twelve: Teach them basic self-efficiency skills.
The ability to think like a survivor is essential. Someday, these children will have their own families, and they will need to provide for them.
The ability to wrap their heads around gardening, hunting, foraging, basic sewing skills, and fishing is vital.
We must teach them they are not helpless in a great depression, war, or poverty. There are things that they can do to provide for themselves and their families.
Even the ability to consider starting their own business will benefit them!
I’m sure there are skills that I’ve forgotten, so please leave me a comment below! But these are a great place to start!
I wish you the very best on your own homeschool high school adventure! Love your children, and enjoy the ride!
