Chores and more

Whether you're working out how to look after your new place, or getting more involved in helping your parents, there's lots to learn about looking after your home. These might include:

• Cooking and cleaning
• Using washing machines, and other appliances
• Knowing who to contact when something goes wrong

With luck, you can learn these things gradually as you grow up, but if you've had to move suddenly, or things have changed in your home, you may need to learn how to do lots of them in a very short time.

It's difficult, and when things go wrong it can be frustrating. But it's important to remember that nobody starts off being good at cooking, cleaning or doing paperwork. These are things that people learn, and get better at doing, over time.

Often, a parent, friend or carer can help you learn how to do these things. But when this isn't possible:

• Look for instructions (and follow them when you find them)
• Don't be embarrassed to ask for help
• Try to find the way that works for you

It's normal to help out around the house. But if you are spending lots of your time and effort caring for another family member, or if you find that household duties are getting in the way of learning, working and getting on with your life, then you may need some support. Help is available from Young Carers.

Find out more: Young Carers

The skills to pay the bills?

Learning how to manage household expenses and bills. Learning how to manage your own money. Learning how to tell what you can afford, and what you'll need to save up for. These skills are all part of looking after your home. To do them well, you need certain skills. These are often called "life skills" and include things like:

• Reading, writing and filling in forms
• Budgeting and managing your finances
• Managing your time and energy

Contributing to bills, paying rent, and asking about home expenses are some of the ways that young people learn about these skills before they leave home. There are also courses which can help you learn useful skills. Ask at your local Connexions Centre or Young People's Centre.

Find out more: Time to move out?

Credit: Oxford Young Carers

Parts of this page were written with the help of a group from Oxford Young Carers, a group of young people who know a lot about home skills. You can find out more about them on their Cool Young Carers website.

If you'd like to be involved in writing materials, contributing experiences, or producing artwork for the Young People's Survival Guide for Oxfordshire, please get in touch.