The Housing Experiment

I have a fun and interesting question to propose.  If your teenage children could be on their own for a week how would they do? My sons and I have talked about the possibility of a separate apartment in our next home.  I like this idea because they can learn how to take care of themselves.  Their is also the fact if and when this disease of mine gets worse.  They can still help me out and have their independence as well.  Because its no fun when your an adult and have to live with family members. You still need your space. Of course when college is done, they move on to their own place.  So how do you prepare young adults for living on their own.

 First off,  they've got to be able to feed themselves.  They can't blow their paychecks on fast food and its killer on the weight.  If they don't already help with the cooking have them start.  Teach them to cook simple basic meals.  I found out the other day after the microwave blew a fuse, the boys did not know how to brown meat or fry bacon in a frying pan.  So we had a little lesson involving the frying pan.

I know this probably sounds weird but do they know how to do their own laundry.  Have them help sort the laundry, figure out what setting to put it on in the machine (kyle has trouble with that one) and can it go in the dryer and what setting.

 Shopping is another thing.  Can they stick to a list and get what they need?  Have they ever used a debit or EBT card to pay for something?  Ask them and then show them how to do what needs to be done.  I had to send them shopping when the knee was really bad and they used the EBT for the first time.  They enjoyed it and gained a little independence. Some things to think about to give your teen a better start in the world.  Ever consider what three things they should have in their first apartment.  Here's my picks. What are yours?

1. Set of pots and pans
2. Microwave
3. Vacuum Cleaner

                                                       Here's one of my favorite recipes

                                                       small bag elbow macaroni (8 oz bag)
                                                       1 small onion chopped
                                                       1 cup pickle relish
                                                       2 cans tuna packed in water drained
                                                       2 cups very veggie salad mix tear up into smaller pieces
                                                       2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
                                                       1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Cook the noodles until aldente. Run cold water over noodles.  Put onions, pickle relish, tuna and salad mix in bowl with noodles.  Mix together then add mayonnaise and lemon juice.  Mix them again.  Place dish in refrigerator until chilled.  Can be main dish or side dish for lunch or dinner.