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teens and jobs - 6/25/2008 11:40:55 PM
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OneOfHisJewels
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Is it good for teens to get after school jobs, or should their only job be getting good grades?
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RE: teens and jobs - 6/25/2008 11:53:34 PM
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isaacsmom
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I guess it depends on the teen, and his/her maturity level. But in general, I've always thought that jobs are good for teens. Jobs teach them to use the sense of responsibility and work ethic that their parents (hopefully) have instilled in them. At least that's how it always was in our house. We all started working a few hours a week when we were 16-ish. Nothing to excessive, we were all able to keep up with our school work.
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RE: teens and jobs - 6/26/2008 12:21:53 AM
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karlie
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I think it completely depends on the teen and their situation. Our oldest daughter had a job at 17 and it was great for her in a number of ways. But our youngest daughter didn't get her first job until she was 19, and we were fine with that. She was very advanced academically and started college at 16, carrying a full time load and was/is extremely dedicated to her studies. We didn't want her to work as a young teen and have to juggle her heavy school load with a job. There was really no reason for her to take on additional stress. She was already about as responsible(and still is) and any young person could be, she didn't ask for a lot of spending money, she was always very helpful around the home, and frankly, we could afford her schooling without her having to work. She has always had a heavy school load and was very dedicated to maintaining a 4.0, and for us, we felt that needed to be her focus. She spent hours studying that she couldn't have had if she had been going to a job and I knew her well enough to know that her grades suffering would have devastated her. She also has an amazing work ethic in the ministries and volunteer work she's done, so not having a formal job didn't hinder that. I definitely don't think a part time job hurts teens at all, but for her particular situation and goals it was best her focus remained just on her studies.
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RE: teens and jobs - 6/26/2008 1:09:24 AM
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garsyt
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Another mom saying it depends.
My eldest is 14. During the school year the most I want him doing is the occasional babysitting job. He gets decent grades but has to WORK to get those grades and this coming year is going to be tough enough on him without the added stress of an after school job.
During the summer however - YES! In fact after this summer I'm requiring some sort of summer job. Nothing major, but something that will earn him a bit of his OWN spending money - we are putting in a bid at our local post office for lawn maintenance next spring and fully expect to get it. This will be MOSTLY his responsibility, and his paycheck (after I take out my cut for gas for the mower) This will not interfere with his other summer commitments like summer volunteer work at the zoo and theater camp, both of which are extremely important to him.
For the rest of my kids - I guess I'll have to see once the time comes.
Blessings,
Garsy
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RE: teens and jobs - 6/26/2008 8:11:25 AM
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manda59
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My ds got a Saturday job at 16, after his first set of public exams (GCSEs). He opted for a Saturday shift lifeguarding at a local leisure/sports centre, from 4pm-8pm. That was (still is) his contracted shift - he is also sometimes asked to cover other people's shifts, through illness or holiday, and he agrees to those as and when they suit him. I wouldn't have really wanted him working before he was 16, unless it was only for a couple of hours per week.
My dd is 14, and doesn't have a job yet - though she did work last summer holidays in a local cattery. She did 2 hours a day, 3-4 mornings a week - but *just* for the holiday. She was thrilled with what she earned, and will hopefully be doing the same this summer holiday (doesn't start here in the UK till end-July). She will also be delivering a local free weekly newspaper for 5 Fridays during the holidays, whilst the regular person is on vacation. It's 250 houses - it will likely take her just a couple of hours. But, again, that's only for the holidays. I don't really want her having a regular all-year round job till she is 16, after her GCSEs.
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RE: teens and jobs - 7/4/2008 12:46:30 PM
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thisistheday
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My oldest daughter's primary job for about the last ten months has been as a nurse aid. She is 16. She is interested in nursing, so I thought it was important that she get a taste of what that kind of work was like.
At times she ended up working more than she should have, but when she worked a reasonable amount of time it was fine. Reasonable amount of hours would vary by kid.
She is spending most of her time volunteering at camp this summer; some things are more important than work and earning money when you are seventeen. She's home now for a couple of weeks and is working pretty much as much as she can.
I may handle the work thing differently with each kid; depending on their needs.
Dee
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RE: teens and jobs - 7/5/2008 3:27:46 AM
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Purposeful_Life
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As soon as they can handle both then they should work outside of school/home. The lessons they learn are invaluable - let them try treating their boss like they do their mother for example.
They learn the value of money, self discipline, getting out of bed on weekends etc etc.
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RE: teens and jobs - 7/6/2008 9:08:22 AM
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3cappuccinosmom
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We're a long way from that yet. My dh would probably prefer that our kids spend *all* their after school time studying more. I'm not sure they'll be able to handle that.
But, one way or another, our kids are going to work as teens. Definately weekend jobs, helping out with thier dad's business, and absolutely having jobs over the summer.
Between 16 and 19 I had a bunch of jobs, and managed to do perfectly well in school, never below a high B. I babysat triplets during the school year--mostly on weekends and holidays. In the summers I worked at a Christian retreat center. At the end of my last year of highschool I started working at a nursing home part time, and then moved to almost-full time over that summer.
All those hours I worked would have otherwise been spent in front of the computer, or reading a novel, so it was no real loss, and lots of gain for me. Come to think of it, that's probably why my parents pushed me getting a job. They likely couldn't stand the thought of seeing me slumped in front of a screen for hours on end. 
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RE: teens and jobs - 7/6/2008 9:49:05 AM
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Karaboo2
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During my summers, I worked as a lifeguard ... and I babysat year round. I was raised by my grandmother and great-uncle, so I was needed more at home rather than working at, say, McDonald's (they were getting quite up there in years). I'm not saying working at McD's is a bad thing, and it's actually quite good for a lot of teens ... but for my situation, babysitting allowed more of the flexibility I needed to help out my family.
As for the OP's question, it is entirely dependent on the child. If they are strong academically (so wouldn't fall behind by working) I say go for it ... but if it is a child who struggles with school, then I'd say focus on the academics and if they want a job, set some solid parameters (like only one night per week, or only doing seasonal work during school holidays)
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RE: teens and jobs - 7/6/2008 11:52:43 AM
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Jenny-Fair
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I have been thinking on this since the thread began.
I think I have a different point of view on this issue than most because my view on education is different. I see that most parents make school a priority...but I don't actually think life should revolve around 'school' for 12 or more years. It's one of the reasons we homeschool. We have a life, and it happens to include learning things, as opposed to we go to school and we also happen to have a life.
Working 'for real' will teach a kid much more than schoolbooks ever could, and school doesn't really prepare you for working, it just gives you knowledge. My kids have always worked in some way or another, and Brandon is already planning what he'll do after he turns 16 and can get a 'real' job. He'll be allowed to do that so long as I don't see it interfering with his health (he tends to allow himself to get run down), and he can still pursue his activities (drama and stuff like that) and finish his high school education.
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RE: teens and jobs - 7/6/2008 2:25:08 PM
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buckifn
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I'd say a job is more important than school to some extent...because how many times does someone ask what your GPA was after you graduate? About the only time I can remember anyone caring I had a 4.0 was on a college application. One of the best lessons my Creative Writing Prof. taught us the first week of class was "nobody cares what grades you made or didn't make in high school."
Learning how to interact with others in the business world and how to handle the responsibility of a work schedule are important aspects for a teen to know imo.
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RE: teens and jobs - 7/6/2008 5:04:01 PM
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thisistheday
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Maggie brought up a good point; with my oldest I know her study habits and I know that she would not be studying most of the time that she was at work. So she had just as well be at work for some of that time.
My biggest thing about the GPA is that there are some scholarships based on the HS GPA.
Dee
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