A mother should not wait until her daughter reaches late childhood or is on the verge of adolescence to begin teaching her essential life skills. Many of these skills are not taught at school; rather, the mother is the first and most important teacher who prepares her daughter to succeed in life.
Educational consultant Heba Suleiman highlights 7 key life skills every mother should teach her daughter before adolescence—skills like decision-making, money management, and time organization.
1. Teach Her the Skill of Decision-Making
Your daughter needs to develop an independent, balanced, and confident personality. This won’t happen if you make every choice for her.
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Start with small decisions, like choosing between two snacks or two outfits.
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Gradually give her more complex choices, allowing her to experience the consequences of her decisions.
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Guide her to weigh options carefully and think about potential outcomes.
2. Teach Her Money Management
Introduce your daughter to the value of money early on.
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Begin by teaching her how to count coins and understand basic math operations (addition, subtraction, etc.).
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Explain that money is a tool, not a goal.
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Encourage saving with a piggy bank, while also teaching the difference between saving wisely and being stingy, as well as avoiding overspending.
3. Teach Her Time Management
Time is the foundation of success. Help your daughter understand its value:
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Show her how to read a clock and use a watch.
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Teach her to divide her time across tasks and follow a schedule.
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Emphasize completing one task at a time, instead of juggling too many things and falling into disorganization.
4. Teach Her Personal Hygiene
As your daughter grows and her body begins to change, hygiene becomes even more important:
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Daily habits like brushing teeth and combing hair.
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For girls specifically: changing underwear daily, using deodorant, and learning how to manage menstrual hygiene if periods start early.
5. Teach Her Shopping Skills
Take your daughter to small shops as a first step in teaching her how to shop responsibly.
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Show her how to select items, pay correctly, and respect store rules.
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Encourage her to write a shopping list before leaving the house.
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Teach her to compare prices and quality, and even explore online shopping options for better deals.
6. Teach Her Social Skills
From late childhood, your daughter should learn how to interact politely with others, including strangers.
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For example, ordering food at a restaurant directly instead of relying on you.
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Public outings provide opportunities to strengthen her confidence and teach her respect, politeness, and independence when dealing with people like drivers, shopkeepers, or waiters.
7. Teach Her Preparation Skills
Preparation is key to success in school and life.
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The night before school, she should set her alarm, prepare her bag, and ensure everything is ready.
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Extend this skill to other areas: preparing kitchen items before cooking, or packing sports gear before heading to practice.
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Mastering preparation will help her achieve academic excellence and handle daily responsibilities smoothly.
✨ By teaching your daughter these 7 life skills early, you’re giving her the tools to grow into a confident, responsible, and independent young woman—ready to face adolescence and beyond with strength and balance.
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