CareerConnect

Dear Family,

Think ahead to three months after your teen graduates. She has an array of options. What will she be doing? Regardless of which option she chooses, there are basic skills she will need to acquire so she can assume the responsibilities of adulthood and be her own homemaker. From goal setting to budgeting to knowing when to see the doctor, there are essential life skills your teen needs to know before she graduates high school. In order for her to thrive as a productive member of society, your teen needs to learn to rely less and less on you. You can gradually release more and more responsibility to your teen. The next article you will read highlights four key areas in which your teen needs to have skills regardless of the postsecondary choice she pursues. As you read the article, reflect on the skills your teen has mastered, identify some priority areas your teen needs instruction in, and define what you can do to help her learn and practice those skills at home.

Sincerely,
(Teacher Name/Contact information)

Activities

Directions

Complete the activities and return your responses to your teen’s professional to review and respond to.

Activity 1: Developing Skills for Future Success

Read Life After High School: Preparing Your Child for What Comes Next. The article places an emphasis on all the skills young adults need, regardless of their plans for the future. After you read the article, answer the following questions:

1. Where will your teen live right after high school?
2. Five years from now, where will your teen be living?
3. Does your teen have the independent living skills she needs to live on her own?
4. How will your teen get to work, school, personal appointments, social activities, etc.?
5. Can your teen travel safely and independently in the community now?
6. Does your teen have friends?
7. Does your teen have a rewarding and happy social life?
8. What recreation and leisure activities does your teen currently participate in?

Read Household Responsibilities. Complete the chart below by rating your teen’s skills on a scale of 1–5, with a 5 indicating that the skill is accomplished at an independent level, a 3 indicating that the teen needs instruction in the skill and a 1 indicating that your teen is not performing this skill. Your teen’s professional will rate your teen’s skills in each area after you return the activity. You will receive a copy of the activity with the professional’s input to assist in prioritizing the responsibilities your teen should have at home and school to increase her skills.

For additional information on preparing your teen, read Preparing for Independence.

Reflection

From completing this activity, I learned….
I would like more information on….
I have the following questions for my teen’s professional….
I am going to do the following things to prepare my teen for transition….