how to become an independent 18 year old? Help!

Lollipop95

Basically,I'm an 18 year old girl and my parents have pretty much mollycoddled me all my life. I'm ashamed to say I can't cook(much) or work the washing machine and they generally treat me like a child(my own fault,I know). I'm searching for a job at the moment with not much look,up in the Big Smoke. I'd be living with my sister(they mollycoddled her too and she never learned to become independent until she went to college at 19) and husband if I got a job,but my parents act worried and told my sister 'look after her' to which my sister replied 'she's 18!' to which my parents said I'm not a streetwise or independent 18 year old.
I'm going to learn how to cook and do my own washing and hopefully find a job because it's beyond a joke. So...how can I essentially become more independent and start living like a proper adult?
I'm also living with them as I am still in school.....but I was thinking moving out after finding out a job would be a start to becoming more independent?
Thanks for replies in advance! Hopefully I can get some advice!

StillWaters

Start living like an adult at home first. Contribute to household tasks, cook once a week or so for the family, do laundry, help around the house tidyin etc. Treat your family with the respect you would do housemates. If you manage to get a job, hand up something at home towards your keep.

I wouldn't put pass on what your parents said to your sister. Every parent will be worried about their child when they make that move outside the home, regardless of how mature or independent they are. 'look after her' would be an entirely natural thing to say to your sister.

FizzleSticks

This post has been deleted.

December2012

Go easy on yourself.

Start small. Take responsibility for some housework / practical things.

Do you know how to drive? Start lessons.

Take a meal once a week and cook it from scratch - Jamie Oliver is very easy to follow.

Clean your room.

Do laundry.

Get a home economics book to tell you how to do things or else ask your parents to show you.

Legs.Eleven

Hey OP. I wouldn't worry about it - once you move you'll figure all this out. Most young people don't leave home "house trained". It's not the end of the world.

Re: the washing machine. Why don't you ask your mam how to use it? It's very simple.

Good luck!

Yeah, the vast majority of people I know had no idea how to look after themselves when they first moved out - friends, family - heck even I didn't know too much when I did. It took time and effort, but I got there. Learn how to cook, take responsibilities around the house, such as cleaning, cooking, and doing your own clothes.

Ask your parents to help you to do this. Get one of them to show you how to work the washing machine and then say you'll do your own clothes from now on. Learn to cook something and then volunteer to cook for them sometime. Don't worry though, you're young! It's not expected for you to know any of these things.