# Parenting fails: Teaching life skills for college

> Parents forgot to teach kids basic life skills before college.
- Title: Parenting fails: Teaching life skills for college | Shortify
- Summary: Parents forgot to teach kids basic life skills before college. Parents realized they missed teaching kids to clean bathrooms, repay debts, and self-assess…
- Keywords: amy conroy, college, life skills, self attunement, bathroom cleaning, debt repayment, pericarditis, student health, business, technology, Parenting, fails
- Source: Business Insider — https://businessinsider.com/parenting-mistakes-life-skills-kids-college-2026-10
- Author: Amy Conroy
- Published: 2026-10-17T21:13:01.25+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: amy conroy, college, life skills, self attunement, bathroom cleaning, debt repayment, pericarditis, student health, business, technology
## My kids were ready for college
My kids were ready for college but not quite ready for adulthood.
## Failed to teach bathroom cleaning
I never taught my kids to clean bathrooms despite their need for it.
## No debt repayment lessons
My kids had no fiscal responsibility after buying a used Toyota Tacoma.
## Self-assessment skills missing
My kids couldn't read themselves in their environment.
## Heart scare from strep throat
My son had a heart scare after ignoring cold symptoms.
## Doctor's response to symptoms
The doctor said, 'Not really,' when asked if throat felt sore.

> Not really.
## College transition advice
I told my daughter to expect loneliness and discomfort during college.
## Key takeaway

Parents realized they missed teaching kids to clean bathrooms, repay debts, and self-assess before college.