Being an adult is hard -- really hard.
That's why Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Ill., recently invited nearly 900 seventh-grade students to campus for a crash course about life in the real world.
"The idea is to help them to find a career and path that's going to make them happy," says Marlene Mueller, coordinator for the program called "Welcome to the Real World."
Here are eight tips the children learned about the real world:
• Talk about career choices early
This is important. If your child has an idea about what kind of job he or she wants in the future, it's never too early to nurture those plans.
• Take them shopping
Make a budget before leaving home, then take a calculator to the store the next time you go shopping. As your child adds items to the cart, keep track of the price on each item. Teach your children how impulse buys affect the budget.
• Be honest about the bills
Don't be afraid to show your child the family's bills and how they affect the family's finances.
• Teach them about time management
A child's first lesson about time management often starts with his or her first homework assignment. Putting homework before electronic amusements is a good idea.
• Don't be afraid to say no
This one is simple. Most adults can't have everything they want. That's life.
• Open a savings account
Long before your child receives a paycheck, open a savings account for him or her. Put a portion of that money (from birthdays and holidays) in the bank.
• Talk about the future (and make plans)
Setting goals for your family is one way to prepare your child for adulthood.
• Volunteer together
Some of the best lessons that children learn about the real world happen outside of the classroom.
Family on 05/10/2017