My First Apartment: What I Wish I Knew Before Moving Out
I remember the first day I walked into what would soon be my apartment. It was an old building with creaky floors and a front door that stuck a little when I turned the key. Still, it was perfect—or so I thought. I was 19, eager for independence, and couldn’t wait to live on my own. But there were a few things I hadn’t thought through (like how expensive it is to keep the heat running in the winter!).
Whipping Up Confidence: Using a Family Project to Get Teens Cooking
If you spend a lot of time cooking, you might assume your teenagers will pick up the skills just by watching you. After all, they see you experimenting with recipes, tackling culinary challenges, and enjoying the occasional kitchen success. But as you’ll quickly discover, familiarity doesn’t always translate into confidence or skill when it comes to cooking.
A Personal Reflection: Losing a Friend to Suicide and What We Can Do to Help
September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to shed light on a painful and often hidden crisis—one that I’ve experienced firsthand. My very first friend, the one I met in kindergarten, took his own life when we were still in high school. It was devastating. I remember feeling overwhelmed with guilt, wondering if there was something I could have done. Could I have reached out more? Could I have seen the signs? These are questions that have haunted me for years.
Understanding Credit: Why It’s Crucial for Teens to Get a Head Start
When I was a teenager, the concept of credit felt like this far-off, mysterious thing that only adults needed to worry about. I knew it had something to do with borrowing money, but I didn’t really understand why it was so important until I was older. Now, having navigated the ups and downs of credit myself, I realize that if I’d known the basics sooner, I would have been much better off. So if you’re a teen reading this, trust me when I say: understanding credit now can set you up for success in the future.
The Struggle is Real: Teaching Life Skills to Teens is Harder Than It Seems
Parenting teens is a journey full of highs and lows. One of the most significant responsibilities parents face is ensuring their children are equipped with the life skills they need to navigate adulthood. While this may seem straightforward, there are several reasons why teaching these skills can be difficult. Let’s explore the various challenges parents encounter when trying to impart essential life skills to their teens.
Assessing Independent Living Skills: A Guide to Using the Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment in the On Your Own Community
As teens approach adulthood, it's crucial to ensure they possess the necessary skills to live independently. However, identifying where they stand and what areas need development can be challenging. The Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment (ACLSA) is an invaluable tool that provides a clear picture of a teen's readiness for independence. At On Your Own Community, we are committed to guiding our members through this crucial stage of life, starting with the ACLSA and building on those results to ensure each teen is fully prepared for independent living.