How to teach your kids life skills — without boring them to death ☠️

A couple of weeks ago, I asked you about the biggest challenge you face trying to teach your kids life skills:

• Lack of time – 12%

• Finding appropriate resources – 20%

• Balancing life skills with academics – 21%

• Keeping them interested and engaged — 47% 🤯

Here is some feedback you shared with me:

“Many situations don’t come up organically, so it comes across as ‘a lesson’ versus guidance they seek.”

“Talking to my child is easy, but it is hard to keep him engaged in topics.”

“Most invitations are met with disinterest/disdain.”

“My kids are often busy chatting with friends on their phones and it is challenging finding a time when they will want to listen to what I'd like to share and teach them!”

So I spent some time investigating ways to tackle the seemingly insurmountable challenge of keeping your kids interested and engaged in learning life skills. 👊

Here’s what I discovered. 👇

Do it with friends

Let’s face it: kids would rather hang out with their friends than listen to you explain the finer points of financial independence. 💰🙄

Use that to your advantage. 

The trick here is to turn learning into a social event. 

Got a kid who wants to make a little extra cash? Grab their friends, and throw a ragerrr...really cool group project. 

They can start their own digital design team to create and sell custom stickers or T-shirts with their favorite (non-trademark-infringing) Taylor Swift-isms.

Or whatever they happen to be obsessed with this week. 🤷 

The key is to position these activities as a "friend thing" rather than a "family thing." 

They'll feel like they're just having fun and hanging out, while you're secretly orchestrating a crash course in teamwork, creative problem-solving, and business strategy. 

It's sneaky — and brilliant. 😉

Gamify it

Forget gamifying chores — that's old news. 

Let's up the ante. 

Try something like a "Cash Quest”.

Give them a small budget and challenge them to grow it over a month through smart investments, creative hustles, or negotiating skills. 

They can even compete with friends or siblings to see who can achieve the highest ROI — with the winner not only receiving the most cash, but a prize like:

• Dinner at their favorite restaurant

• An overnight trip to a destination of their choice

• A personalized bedroom upgrade

Frame every failure a new level to conquer, rather than a disappointment.

The point is to show them that life skills aren't just dry, boring tasks. They're challenges to be met, and obstacles to be overcome. 

And when it’s a game, it’s suddenly a lot more… fun. 🤷

Plan something they love

Kids love exciting activities that break the routine. (Groundbreaking statement, I know.) 

But here's where you can get clever — let them plan it. 

Want to take a weekend trip to an amusement park? Hand over the reins. Give them a budget, a list of potential destinations, and let them figure out the logistics. 

They’ll have to research travel options, calculate costs, and even negotiate for extra perks like an upgrade to the hotel room.

If they’re successful, they’ll have an epic time.

If not… welp. They may not even get to go at all. 🤷

If you’ve got a social butterfly on your hands, have them plan a party. Put them in charge of everything — from the guest list, to the menu, to the entertainment — all while sticking to a budget. 

They’ll need to think creatively and make decisions. And when they see everything come together, they'll experience the thrill that comes from planning and executing an event.

The kicker? 

They’ll actually want to do it because it's something they already enjoy. You’re just slipping in a healthy dose of organizational skills, financial literacy, and critical thinking while they’re busy planning how to have a blast.

Get them a mentor

Newsflash: your kids don't want to listen to you. 🤦

But you know who they might listen to? Someone who's just a few years older. Not old enough to be their parent — but with enough experience to earn their respect. 

Find a college student or a young professional who can step in as a mentor. Perhaps someone who's started their own small business, launched a successful YouTube channel, or is making strides in a field your kid is interested in.

The mentor can offer advice and insights that don't come with the "parental lecture" baggage. It's like having a cool older sibling who isn't annoying. 

Your kid’s mentor can challenge them with new ideas, provide constructive feedback, and share their own experiences in a way that's relatable. 

Plus, kids are more likely to take risks and push their boundaries when it's suggested by someone they admire — but aren't obligated to obey.

Start an actual business

No, we're not talking about a sympathy-driven lemonade stand here. 

We're talking about a business that solves a real problem and has the potential to rake in serious cash. 

Encourage your kid to think big: 

👉 What do their peers complain about? 

👉 What's missing in their school or community?

Maybe it's a platform to swap and sell second-hand video games. Maybe it's a tutoring service for younger kids who need help with math. Or a pet-sitting business for neighbors who travel often.

Let them go through the whole process: 

• Research 

• Business Planning

• Marketing

• Launching

And here's the twist: make it clear that failure is an option. In fact, it's expected. Don’t bail them out when things get tough. ❌

This isn't about hand-holding and ensuring success. It's about actually learning something. 

—

Teaching kids life skills and entrepreneurship doesn't have to be a battle. 

The key is to make it less about you teaching, and more about them exploring, experimenting, and figuring things out with a little guidance from the sidelines. 

And if it means you need to tie your hands behind your back and put tape over your mouth, so be it. 🤐

All of the rocking Ted Lasso GIFs in this issue come courtesy of Tenor.com 👊