As time passes, helping your teenage kids with independent living becomes more and more important.

To help them with the transition, you can encourage them to live more independently at home.

We show you how with some tips on giving them more freedom from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Renovate the shed

If you have a garden shed that has fallen out of use, why not convert it to a den for your teenager?

The beauty of this solution is that it’s inexpensive and gives your teen space to hang out with their mates without straying far from home.

To encourage your teenager’s independence skills further, you can involve them in the design of their shed. Get them to pitch in too with painting and decorating it to their taste.

Build a studio

If your budget allows, building a studio is a fantastic way of helping your teenage kids with independent living at home.

You can choose from a basic design that simply provides space and privacy through to a garden studio that’s equipped with electrics, heating and a bathroom too.

You can even include soundproofing if your teenager has a noisy hobby.

To help them become more independent and learn valuable life skills, they can be responsible for cleaning and maintaining their studio — it’s great practice for when they finally leave home for a place of their own.

One of the great benefits of this option is that once your teen has moved out of home, you can use the extra space for whatever you like!

Get them to take on extra responsibilities

Taking on extra responsibilities at home will help your teenager in the transition to adulthood and to understand the duties that go hand-in-hand with independence.

Here are some ideas for tasks your teen can take on:

• Planning a menu, shopping for it and cooking at least once a week
• Taking overall care of a pet (if you have one), including planning vet and grooming appointments, feeding and exercising
• Cleaning their room and at least one communal area on a regular basis
• Doing their own laundry and ironing
• Providing care or company for older or younger family members

Part of your role as a parent is to help your child become more independent. By encouraging them while they are still living at home, they get a great head start on adult life.

If this article has inspired you to think about your own unique situation and, importantly, what you and your family are going through right now, please contact your advice professional.

(Feedsy Exclusive)