DevOps is an important and growing field that combines development and operations. As more companies move to the cloud, the demand for AWS DevOps engineers is increasing rapidly. Below we will outline a roadmap for building a successful career in AWS DevOps.

The first step is learning the fundamentals through an AWS DevOps Training. This will teach you the key AWS services like EC2, S3, and RDS, and how to automate infrastructure provisioning and application deployments using tools like Ansible, Terraform, and AWS CodeDeploy.

Following a course with hands-on projects is a great way to gain the skills needed to start your AWS DevOps journey.

Table of Contents:

• Introduction to DevOps and AWS
• Understanding the Role of a DevOps Engineer
• Essential Skills and Knowledge for AWS DevOps
• AWS Certifications for DevOps Professionals
• Building Your AWS DevOps Toolkit
• Implementing DevOps Practices on AWS
• Best Practices for AWS DevOps Security
• Real-world Applications and Case Studies
• Advancing Your Career in AWS DevOps
• Conclusion: Navigating Your Path to Success

Introduction to DevOps and AWS

DevOps is a set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) which helps in building, testing, and releasing software faster and more reliably. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud computing platform that offers infrastructure as a service to individuals, companies, and governments and supports DevOps practices through its services. In this blog, we will look at how one can build a successful career in AWS DevOps.

Understanding the Role of a DevOps Engineer

A DevOps engineer is responsible for automating the processes between software development and IT teams so that they can build, test, and release software faster and more reliably. Some key responsibilities of a DevOps engineer include:

• Automating infrastructure provisioning, application deployment, testing and monitoring using configuration management, continuous integration, and continuous delivery tools.
• Ensuring high availability, scalability, and reliability of applications by implementing monitoring, alerting and auto-scaling strategies.
• Troubleshooting issues, reviewing logs to identify bottlenecks and optimize application performance.
• Implementing security best practices, access management and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborating with development and operations teams to streamline workflows and processes.

Essential Skills and Knowledge for AWS DevOps

To succeed as an AWS DevOps engineer, one needs to have skills in configuration management tools like Ansible, Chef, Puppet; continuous integration and delivery tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD; containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes; programming languages like Python, JavaScript, Go etc. One also needs to have hands-on experience of AWS services like EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, ECS, EKS, CodePipeline, CodeBuild, CodeDeploy etc. A solid understanding of DevOps principles, site reliability engineering, infrastructure as code, microservices architecture, monitoring and observability is also essential.

AWS Certifications for DevOps Professionals

Getting AWS certifications is a great way to validate your skills and knowledge to employers. Some popular AWS certifications for DevOps professionals include:

• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner: Validates basic knowledge of AWS services.
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate: Focuses on ability to design distributed applications and systems on AWS.
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional: Validates ability to develop and manage AWS applications using automated practices.
• AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty: Targeted towards networking professionals working with AWS.
• AWS Certified Security – Specialty: Validates skills in securing AWS workloads and managing security operations.

Building Your AWS DevOps Toolkit

To effectively implement DevOps practices on AWS, one needs to build a robust toolkit. Some important tools to consider include:

• Configuration Management: Ansible, Chef, Puppet
• CI/CD: Jenkins, GitLab, GitHub Actions, CodePipeline, CodeBuild
• Containerization: Docker, Kubernetes, ECS, EKS
• Infrastructure as Code: CloudFormation, Terraform
• Monitoring and Observability: CloudWatch, CloudTrail, X-Ray, Grafana, Prometheus
• Collaboration and Communication: Slack, Jira
• Source Control: Git, CodeCommit

Implementing DevOps Practices on AWS

Some key DevOps practices one can implement on AWS include:

• Infrastructure as Code using CloudFormation templates for provisioning and managing AWS resources.
• Immutable infrastructure approach using automation and versioning to deploy changes.
• Continuous Integration using CodePipeline to build, test and deploy code changes automatically.
• Continuous Delivery using CodeDeploy for automated code deployments to EC2, Lambda, ECS and EKS environments.
• Monitoring and Alerting using CloudWatch for metrics and logs with notifications on SNS.
• Auto-scaling using Auto Scaling Groups for dynamic scaling of EC2 instances and ECS services.
• Canary Deployments using CodeDeploy and traffic shifting to Route53 for safer releases.
• A/B Testing using features like Lambda@Edge and CloudFront to experiment with changes.

Best Practices for AWS DevOps Security

As security is a top priority, some security best practices to follow include:

• Implement least privilege access model using IAM roles for users and services.
• Use AWS WAF and CloudFront for web application firewall and DDoS protection.
• Enable CloudTrail logging for auditing API calls and user activities.
• Use AWS Config for inventory, configuration changes and compliance checks.
• Implement monitoring and alerting using GuardDuty and Macie for threats and data leaks.
• Use encryption (KMS, EBS, S3) and key rotation best practices for data protection.
• Perform regular vulnerability assessments, penetration testing and security audits.
• Implement disaster recovery, backup and restore strategies using services like EBS Snapshots.

Real-world Applications and Case Studies

Many companies have successfully adopted AWS DevOps practices. For example:

• Netflix migrated to AWS and uses tools like Spinnaker for continuous delivery of video streaming platform.
• Capital One uses AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, and Jenkins for agile development of banking applications.
• The New York Times migrated to AWS and uses services like ECS, Lambda, and CloudFront to deliver news content globally.
• Nordstrom uses AWS, Terraform, and Ansible to deploy microservices architecture for its online shopping platform.

Advancing Your Career in AWS DevOps

To advance your career in AWS DevOps, focus on:

• Gaining hands-on experience by taking up side projects that use AWS services.
• Earning more AWS certifications to validate skills and knowledge over time.
• Contributing to open source projects related to DevOps, AWS, containers etc.
• Networking in local user groups and communities and online via blogs, forums, Twitter etc.
• Keep learning new technologies, tools, and AWS services as they emerge and evolve.
• Consider specializing in a particular domain like security, big data, machine learning etc. on AWS.
• Take on leadership roles by mentoring junior engineers, leading initiatives within teams.

Conclusion:

Navigating Your Path to Success AWS DevOps is a fast growing and in-demand career path. With the right skills, certifications, experience and continuous learning; one can have an impactful and successful career in this domain. The opportunities are immense to innovate, automate workflows and deliver applications at scale on AWS. I hope this blog provided useful insights and guidance on how to navigate your path to success in AWS DevOps.

As a parent, the quest for a good night’s sleep often feels like navigating through uncharted waters. From bedtime battles to nighttime awakenings, the journey towards establishing a consistent sleep routine for your toddler can be riddled with challenges.

However, amidst the exhaustion and determination, lies the invaluable significance of sleep in children’s development and overall well-being.

In the world of toddler sleep routines, finding the right balance is essential. We understand the struggles and complexities parents face, which is why we’re here to provide insights and tips on the importance of sleep in children, with a focus on effective sleep training methods.

Understanding Toddler Sleep Training Basics

Sleep training is not about enforcing strict rules or imposing rigid routines. Instead, it’s about empowering toddlers to develop the skills they need to fall asleep independently and stay asleep throughout the night. By teaching them self-soothing techniques and establishing consistent bedtime rituals, parents can help foster a sense of security and promote healthier sleep habits for their little ones.

Why Do Toddlers Struggle with Sleep?

Various factors can contribute to toddlers’ sleep struggles, from changes in their environment to active imaginations and fears of missing out. Understanding these challenges is crucial in addressing them effectively and creating a conducive sleep environment for your child.

Changes in Environment and Home:

Toddlers thrive on familiarity and routine, so any disruptions to their environment can trigger sleep disturbances. Maintaining consistency and gradually introducing changes can help alleviate bedtime resistance.

Active Imagination:

A toddler’s vivid imagination can lead to bedtime fears and difficulty falling asleep. Providing reassurance and incorporating comforting bedtime rituals can help alleviate anxiety and promote better sleep.

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out):

Toddlers’ curiosity and eagerness to be part of the action can result in bedtime resistance. Establishing clear boundaries and reassuring them that they’re not missing out can mitigate FOMO-related sleep struggles.

Anxiety:

Even small worries can disrupt a toddler’s sleep. Creating a safe and soothing sleep environment can help alleviate anxiety-related sleep issues. Consider using a toddler floor bed to give them freedom to get in and out of their bed easily. This can promote confidence and reduce stress related to sleeping. A child may also be more apt to taking a nap when they are tired.

Diet:

Nutrition plays a significant role in sleep quality. Offering nutrient-dense foods and avoiding sugary snacks before bedtime can promote better sleep for your toddler. Make sure they are hydrated well in advance of bedtime to ensure comfort during the night.

Circadian Rhythms:

Exposure to blue light from screens can disrupt toddlers’ sleep patterns. Creating a dark and calming sleep environment, free from electronic devices, can aid in better sleep quality.

Effective Sleep Training Strategies

Establishing a consistent bedtime routine, creating a sleep-conducive environment, and limiting screen time are key strategies in toddler sleep training. Additionally, being attentive to nap needs, setting firm boundaries, and practicing patience are essential in promoting healthy sleep habits.

Transitioning from a crib to a bed should be approached with patience and positivity, while seeking professional help is advisable if sleep issues persist despite efforts to address them.

Conclusion

The journey towards establishing a consistent sleep routine for your toddler may present challenges, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the difficulties. By understanding the importance of sleep in children and implementing effective sleep training toddler methods, you can pave the way for better sleep quality and overall well-being for both you and your child. So, embrace the journey, stay patient, and remember that a good night’s sleep is within reach.

Identity thieves are continually on the look out for new methods to steal your identity.  It may be a new scheme using existing technology or the use of a new technology.  When cyber criminals get creative it means the rest of us need to get more vigilant about internet security.

Mostly, we need to pay closer attention. People tend to have their guard down when they are on a new app that couldn’t possibly be used as a scam.  Or could it?   For example, people a more prone to question a potential scam on Facebook, because these schemes are common and well documented.

Parents have also read many articles about the popular apps that kids are using, such as Snapchat, Kik Messenger, and WhatsApp.

Education is the first step to protect yourself, but as technology continues to advance there is never a time to stop learning.

Fitness Scams

When I first heard about fitness scams my first thought was, huh?  I couldn’t imagine what it was.  Perhaps it was about people being approached while someone was outside jogging or working out in a gym.

On the contrary, this scam happens through fitness apps.  We usually don’t think of a fitness app being related to social media.  But when people connect with other joggers, yoga partners, or weightlifters, they are now socially connected with these friends and colleagues

This is when cyber thieves begin to work their schemes to steal someone’s private data, glean money through a scam, or find out where a person lives.

Criminals also use a person’s passion for health and fitness to entice you with tried-and-true methods, like incredible offers via email or text. If you receive a text message that claims to have a drug for a cheap price that can make you lose weight immediately, you should not follow the link and purchase it, even if the deal appears to be too good to pass up.

Ways to Protect Yourself

Many fitness trackers will store users’ locations on their systems, and if this information gets into the wrong hands, it could be used for malicious purposes.  Keep your account secure with a good password and email/text authorization to ensure no one can attempt to log in without your knowledge.

And regarding the social media aspect of a fitness app.  If you are sharing your location or connecting with others through the app, scrutinize all communication.  If you receive a message on a legitimate fitness app from someone new or a friend, it does not mean the message is safe.  It could be a scammer attempting to build a fitness relationship with you learn personal information about you.

These fake relationships start innocently enough, but over time they will try to get personal information from you.  You also don’t know if a friends apps has been hacked and it’s a scammer contact you from their account.

Quishing: Malicious QR Code Scams

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Quishing is like is Phishing (email scams), Smishing (SMS text scams), and Vishing (voice call scams).  QR codes are common but if you are not familiar them or have never scanned one, here’s how they work:

QR codes are a type of barcode that can be scanned using a smartphone camera. When scanned, the code opens a website, pdf, or other type of digital page.  If a malicious QR code gets scanned, it could lead to malware or a malicious website.

This QR code when scanned on your phone will take you to our website’s home page.  You can trust it’s safe because we created it.  Always be cautious of unsolicited emails with QR codes.  Before scanning a code, verify the legitimacy of the website or the email sender. QR codes are a legitimate method used for authentication purposes on your phone. 

Scanning a malicious QR code is the same as clicking a malicious email link or in a text message. It will either infect your computer or access personal information from you.

However, they can cause havoc if created by a hacker.  Check for red flags such as suspicious email addresses or requests for sensitive information.  But even an email address you know could be used to carry out the scam, such as a hacked email account of someone you know.  It may require you to talk to or text the person who sent for confirmation.

For an added layer of protection, consider using a trusted QR code scanner app instead of scanning with your camera phone.  These apps often scan for malicious URL’s and give warnings about potential dangers.

Scams Powered by AI

Thanks to new developments in artificial intelligence scammers are taking advantage. This new technology is accessible to anyone for any purpose, good or bad.  Using AI allows users to make  presentations more realistic, even to those who are suspicious.

AI is used by scammers for:

• Writing:  AI can write emails and texts and track response rates of the message to increase effectiveness. Traditionally, one of the common traits of a scam message is misspelled words and grammatical error.  This can be eliminated using AI.

• Voice:  Be extra cautious of calls from friends or employers who ask for personal information.  AI can mimic a voice to be a certain age or have a specific accent. Scammers no long need to make these calls themselves, which opens up the scary prospect that AI could even have a conversation with you. Plus, it’s all automated like a robocall, but an intelligent one.

• Deepfakes: There is already plenty examples of AI creating deepfakes of celebrities for the purposes of advertising on social media or simply for entertainment.  Deepfakes add authenticity to offers that fool unsuspecting victims who are enticed by big savings or winning a contest.

AI can also produce deepfake photos used to create fake online profiles for romance scams. This is where scammers gain the trust of someone seeking a relationship online and later manipulate their victims to divulge personal information or steal from them.

Event Scams

Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency by offering good deals on sold-out events, but these ticket scams are fake. They advertise last-minute deals on tickets at prices that seem too good to be true. Phishing emails related to event scams may mimic legitimate ticketing services, including using their official logos and similar language.

Official sources are the safest bet for streaming events. By sticking to these sources, you reduce the risk of encountering scams that exploit the popularity of streaming services.

Cybercriminals will also use social media to advertise fraudulent streaming services. These ads might lead to fake websites designed to steal personal or financial information.

To avoid streaming platform scams, one should try to stick to the official broadcasting lists from the event’s website or official social media page.

Payment Apps

Banking fraud is common there has been much education about how to avoid divulging login details about your accounts. However, with the dawn of new payments apps it’s never been easier to send and received money to and from friends and family.  These convenience of not having to deal directly with your bank makes it easier for scammers to steal from you.

Spoofing calls may be made to you about security issues and requesting personal information regarding a payment app you may be using.  You may also receive links from your bank or payment app requested you to login to verify or correct information.  In any of these situations, be very suspect.

In general, one should always pay close attention to the apps they are downloading. Recently, Apple found an app in their store that was mimicking a reputable password manager app.

Cyber Gateways for Scammers

Are cybercriminals watching you or listening to your conversations? Many don’t think about Bluetooth and how it can affect your privacy and even computer security in the home. Hackers can access your devices and data if your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings are weak.  They can learn personal information about you to carry out targeted phishing attacks against you and your family members.

Bluetooth Security and Smart Devices

Fortunately, there are steps your can take to make sure your home is secure.  We’ll first explore Bluetooth vulnerabilities, followed by what you can do to increase awareness and safety.

Potential Bluetooth Vulnerabilities

Here are things you need to be aware of when it comes to smart devices.

Eavesdropping Attacks

Devices like Alexa and Google Home make our lives easier, but they can be hacked, and malware can be installed to listen in on your conversations.

Device Hacking

Smart appliances like washing machines and refrigerators rarely have their default passwords changed. These can be used as a means to infect every other device on the network.

BlueBorne

BlueBorne is a set of vulnerabilities that affect devices with Bluetooth connections, allowing attackers to potentially take control of devices, spread malware, or steal data without requiring the devices to be paired.

Bluetooth Sniffing

Bluetooth signals can sometimes be intercepted by nearby devices using specialized equipment, allowing attackers to eavesdrop on communications between devices.

Weak Encryption

Some Bluetooth devices may use weak encryption methods or have security flaws that make them susceptible to brute-force attacks. To protect against weak encryption vulnerabilities, use Bluetooth devices that support stronger encryption protocols, such as Bluetooth 4.2 or later, and keep your devices updated with the latest firmware.

Bluetooth Impersonation Attacks

Attackers may attempt to impersonate trusted Bluetooth devices to gain unauthorized access to your device or data. To prevent Bluetooth impersonation attacks, be cautious when connecting to unknown devices and verify the authenticity of Bluetooth devices before pairing with them.

Smart Doorbells

Cybercriminals use a search engine called Shodan for this purpose. Cybercriminals use a specialized IoT search engine to find unsecured devices or devices with only a default password in place.

Solutions to Enhance Bluetooth Security

Bluetooth Pairing:  Make sure to pair devices in a secure environment and verify the devices’ identities during pairing. Avoid pairing with unknown or untrusted devices. Use strong, unique passwords for Bluetooth pairing whenever possible.  Replace any default pin codes.

Separate Your Networks:   Your fridge and laptop should never be on the same network. If they are, hackers could gain access to your data on any device connected to your Wi-Fi. Even home surveillance cameras and become infected with malicious code to carry out cyber attacks.

More Tips for Bluetooth Set Up and Usage

• Avoid Using outdated Bluetooth devices.
• Keep your Bluetooth-enabled devices updated with the latest firmware and security patches.
• Disable Bluetooth when not in use, especially in public places.
• Consider using Bluetooth devices that support secure pairing methods, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Secure Connections.
• Regularly monitor your device for suspicious activity and review Bluetooth connection logs if available.
• Devices that are loaded with sensitive personal and business information should never be on the same network as IoT devices which are more vulnerable to attacks.

Smart TVs

IoT devices are a network of physical devices that connect and exchange data with each other over the internet. IoT stands for the Internet of Things.  Basically, anything connected to the internet.  One device that is often forgotten about is the Smart TV.  Because Smart TVs connect to the internet and are therefore considered an IoT device.

Though convenient, Smart TVs can be exposed to cyber threats similar to phones and laptops.  Cybercriminals who have hacked a Smart TV may change your privacy and security settings. They can even lock you out of your TV ask and as you for payment to unlock it.  This is called a ransomware attack.

Hacking into you TV can allow them to access private information, including your credit card details.  A hacked TV allows scammers can watch you and listen to you from your TV. And just like any security breach, they can send you targeted phishing attacks based on what they have learned about you.

Hacked TVs also become a gateway to access other devices that are connected to your home network.  Also, once inside your TV, cybercriminals can create malicious apps designed to look like legitimate ones.

Ways to Prevent Smart TV Hacks

• Make sure your software is up to date. Do it manually when you think of it and enable automatic updates for those times you forget.
• Use strong and unique passwords for account associated with the TV.
• If you can hard wire your connection, this is much safer than using Wi-Fi.
• If you wonder if you TV has been hacked because of strange activity, disconnect it from the internet and perform a factory reset.
• Be sure update other passwords across all other accounts and make them unique from each other, including your Smart TV

Cyber awareness about all the devices connected to the internet in home will help keep you accounts and devices safe.

Election Scams

Elections scams are not new, but AI technology is adding fuel to the fire as those with ulterior motives seeks to disrupt and influence election outcomes.

Cybercriminals often impersonate political figures to deceive users into revealing personal information, downloading malware, or donating money to fraudulent causes. They distort reality and exploit the stress and excitement around elections to manipulate users.

Deepfakes can be used to impersonate political candidates, making it sound like they said things they never did. Deepfakes distort voters’ perception of reality and can have serious consequences for voter perception and trust.

Fake Social Media Accounts can spread disinformation quickly, making it sound credible and widespread. This can also lead to phishing attacks.  Bots are also rampant online doing the work of scammers at an increasingly fast pace.

Foreign influence campaigns aim to create division and undermine trust in the election process. Campaigns might use phishing emails, fake social media accounts, or bots to steal personal information, install malware, and spread disinformation.

Advice to Avoid Falling for Election Scams

Practice Skepticism

Question sensational or shocking content, especially on social media.  Verify authenticity through multiple sources, including fact checking websites.  Be weary of accounts with generic photos and ones that repost from other sources frequently.

Scrutinize Unsolicited Emails and Phone Calls

Don’t give out any personal information.  Avoid clicking any links.  Verify details of the call or email by contacting a candidate or political party directly.

Check Website Security

When visiting any website for any reason, check for basic security.  Ensure it has the https: before the URL. It should also shows a secure symbol in front of it, such as a padlock.  Do not engage any website that is not secure.  Leave the website and search Google for legitimate websites related to what you are seeking to do online.

Be wary of AI chatbots used by scammers. These bots can mimic human conversations, making it harder to detect fraud. Scammers may use them to steal personal information, trick users into financial schemes, or spread malware. Always verify the source of any chatbot interaction, avoid sharing sensitive details, and be cautious of unsolicited messages that seem too good to be true.

Final Reminders

Always use official sources for information. Stay away from social media as a reliable source for information, even if it looks like a trusted news or government website or account.

If any of your accounts are compromised in a breach you should change your password immediately.  The same goes if someone guessed your password and manages to log in.  After changing your password, take the steps offered within each of your accounts to enhance login security.

Never give our personal information over the phone until you are sure who you are speaking with.  Tell the caller you will call them back at the number you have in your contacts.  The same goes for links.  Don’t click a link in an email.  Visit your bank or employer’s website directly from one of your bookmarks or by searching Google.

Learn more about how scammers try to dupe you into clicking malicious links or responding to messages with personal information.  Give yourself a well-rounded education about common scams and remember to never stop discovering ways to protect your devices and your identity.

It’s essential that you allow your kids a formal education so they can read, write, and learn about the world. However, there are some lessons most kids won’t learn in school. To prepare them for adulthood and to be more well-rounded, you need to think beyond the classroom and consider some unconventional life lessons.

From the importance of understanding tax season to how to survive when stranded on the roadside, there’s a lot your kids need to know. Consider these lessons, games, and methods of helping your children prepare for the real world.

Fun Ways to Teach Kids About Money and Taxes

As your kids start to learn math in school, use this as an opportunity to supplement those lessons by teaching them about math in fun ways. Many enjoyable card and board games can teach your kids about money and keep them engaged. Younger kids may get a kick out of playing The Game of Life, which allows them to own pets, start a family, or opt to go to college while learning how to make and manage finances along the way. As they get older, try Monopoly, where they can hold paper money in their hands that they can use to buy houses and hotels. They’ll also learn a bit about paying rent, which will be an important lesson later in life.

Many card games can also teach young people a lot about money management, such as Exact Change, which is like Uno, where the first person out of cards wins, but it’s about money and change instead of shapes. Even playing solitaire can teach the players about strategy and demonstrate how one move can impact the rest of the game or their life.

While your children start to grasp the basics of money, income, investing, and expenses, you can also start to teach them about taxes and how impactful they can be. You can have fun while showing that taxes are a part of everything. When they’re old enough, show them an old paycheck to see how much you made and what is left over after taxes as a way to grasp the concept further.

Music Lessons Help Kids to Thrive

If your child is interested in playing a musical instrument and the school doesn’t offer a class, consider private lessons or teaching them yourself. In addition to playing beautiful music, learning an instrument is an unconventional way to teach various important skills and lessons. For example, playing the violin requires concentration, focus, and memorization. These are all necessary attributes that will help them play the songs correctly and mold their brains as they age and take on more complex tasks.

Just about any musical instrument will help kids develop their fine motor skills as they make the necessary movements to make sound. Once they start playing in a band, they’ll learn the value of teamwork.

Teach Outdoor and Survival Skills

You should also go beyond the classroom and the house by taking the kids into the wilderness to teach them some essential survival skills. Use this as an opportunity to take them away from the modern conveniences of tech and teach them how to fend for themselves if the time ever comes.

To really take them out of their element, bring them primitive camping. You’ll go to as isolated an area to better connect with nature and learn a few things in the process. While out there, teach them how to safely build a fire, pitch a tent, and educate them on basic first aid strategies. When they’re not learning, primitive camping provides the kids a space to run and explore while bonding with the family in a way they can’t always do at home.

Since, as a parent, you always want to provide a safe learning environment, prepare for the trip accordingly. Pack warm clothing and sleeping gear, inform emergency contacts back home of your plans and where you’ll be, and although you shouldn’t use it, consider bringing an emergency cell phone just in case.

Show Teens How to Be Independent

Although you may be sad about the idea of your kids one day leaving the house, teach them important lessons that they can take with them when they live on their own, like how to maintain a car and change a tire.

The ability to change a tire on the spot can be a lifesaver when an unexpected blowout occurs. Teach them that if they get a flat tire, they should pull off the road to a safe place. Then, show them how to use a jack to lift the car, take off the lug nuts, and put on the new or temporary tire. While going through the instructions, have your teen do the actions themselves so they gain a full understanding.

You can also teach them how to read and use a map and compass in case they ever need to find their way and modern technology, like GPS, is unavailable.

There are other ways that you can teach your kids to be more independent, even when they’re young. Although it may go against your better judgment, allow them to make mistakes so they can see what went wrong and learn how to adjust their behavior the next time. Also, don’t neglect the chance to assign your kids chores around the house. Certain chores, like taking out the trash, require them to think ahead and plan, which can come in handy when they take on more responsibilities down the road.

Conclusion

You can teach your kids many lessons to help them live a more fulfilling life now and in the future. Take every opportunity to teach them new things, and they’ll be more well-rounded as adults.