Ironically and at least according to the most recent C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, 87% of parents think they’re doing a decent job preparing their teens for the so-called real world; however, these stats paint a very different picture.
Remember now, we’re talking here about the parents of 17- and 18-year-olds…
- Just 8% were confident were confident their teen could make an appointment with a doctor on their own.
- Only 25% thought their teen could dole out the correct dose of an over-the-counter medication.
- About 41% expected their kid to eat healthy food.
- Around 46% think their teen will save money for the future.
- Only 50% believe their teen could handle a minor injury with first aid.
- About 65% think their kid would get enough sleep to maintain health.
As to why so little independence, 60% of these parents put the onus on their kids:
- 24% said their teen isn’t mature enough;
- 22% said their teen doesn’t have the time to take on more responsibility;
- 14% said their teen doesn’t know enough to handle their own business.
Just 25% of parents feel responsible for this state of affairs, despite…
- 19% saying it’s just easier to do tasks themselves instead of leaving it to their kids; and
- 7% say they don’t think about how to give their teens more responsibilities.
And that, dear readers, is the bottom line in this day and age of “I’ll never grow up…”
With my thanks, Carol (www.schoolwisebooks.com)