Challenges of leaving the nest

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

In a survey of 800 first-time post-secondary students, two out of three, or 65 per cent, of Alberta students wished they had been better prepared with basic life skills before moving away from home.
The study was commissioned by Whirlpool Canada between Sept. 5 and 11.
Every year, young adults move away from home, whether attending a post-secondary school or to live on their own. Once on their own, 81 per cent of Alberta students feel more appreciative of the acts and care their parents provided to them, such as cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping.
In the Alberta high school curriculum, it is mandatory for students to take a career and life management (CALM) course before they graduate. The Strathmore High School (SHS) uses the 10-week course to teach students job skills such as resumé building, interview skills, job applications and job-seeking skills; moving-out skills such as finding accommodations, renters’ insurance, cost of bills, purchasing or renting a vehicle, buying food and budgeting; career investigation and career planning, and sexual education.
“But I’ve got to tell you, for years and years of teaching CALM, the kids don’t buy into it because it’s not real to them,” said Karen Harris, guidance counsellor and CALM teacher at SHS. She added there is a lot to go through in the 10-week program and that a lot of subjects fall on parents’ shoulders to teach their kids.
“We are very limited in time and scope of what we can do but we do the best we can,” said Harris. “A lot of it falls on the parents though.”
Although the survey stated 91 per cent of Alberta students felt confident in their abilities to take care of themselves when moving away from home, once they moved out, 65 per cent of students wished they had been better prepared in life skills such as cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and budgeting. Just over half of students surveyed contacted their family for advice about chores and how to accomplish specific tasks.
At home, parents can help teach their children life skills by getting them to do their own laundry, help meal plan and create shopping lists along with cooking dinner, and by getting them involved in helping with household budgeting so they can see first-hand why those skills are necessary.
Tips from the survey also included parents in teaching their children five basic healthy recipes they can practice cooking, how to snack smart by pairing produce with a protein for a healthy snack and to load up on greens by having at least two fruits or vegetables at every meal.
Other important lessons include basic mending and sewing skills such as sewing on a button, how to sort and wash laundry, and how to prioritize.
“Nearly half of the students who said they wished they had been better prepared with life skills before moving away reached out to a family member for advice about chores,” said Sue Mah, registered dietitian and nutrition expert. “My advice to parents is to listen and guide them through the challenges. They might ask you about laundry or cooking or grocery shopping. Give them easy tips to build their skills and help them thrive.”