In just a few days, my sixteen year old will be officially done with his Sophomore year in high school and will begin his summer break. My son has a tendency to like the finer things in life, if you know what I mean: Macbooks, iPods, gear from Hollister, etc. And now that I am between working assignments, money is tight! Last night, we discussed his options and we both agreed that it is time for him to get a summer job.
I got my first job when I was fifteen or sixteen, working at the layaway at K-mart in Florida. It was a cool job. I got paid every week, which was great for me, and the hours fit into my school schedule. I pretty much could do whatever I wanted with my paycheck, and it was a good feeling to pay for my own wants and desires without having to ask my parents for cash. It gave me a newfound independence that would take me into my adulthood.
A few of my family members (the older set) think it’s not wise for me to let my son go out and get a job but I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. He is sixteen, he can drive, and it’s time for him to learn good work ethic and how to make money and spend it wisely. I don’t want to feel guilty about letting my son, who is a young man, earn his money. It’s a time honored tradition- I got a job at his age, so can he!
What is your take on teens working? How old were you when you got your first job? I look forward to hearing your responses.
My Dad "found" me a job (thanks, Dad!) when I was 15. Even though I couldn't drive yet, he managed to find one that was within walking distance from our house. Although I complained a LOT about it, the job wasn't that hard. I helped out at a used clothing store on Saturdays. They taught me how to run a register, inventory items, and create checks for customers – all of which are great skills to have at a young age.
So I think you're doing a great job by even considering making your son work. He's plenty old and would benefit greatly from it!
Wow, your first job sounds more fun than me working at K-mart! I hope that we can find something ideal for my son's first job. He doesn't want to work in fast food.
I got my first job when I was 15, teaching swimming lessons during the summer at my high school. The swim lessons were only for 6 weeks each summer though, so after I turned 16 I had to get a second job each summer. The summer I turned 16, I worked at Six Flags for about a month until school started again.
I started working for my dad at about 12. He had a Furniture store and I would do everything from cleaning the store, help deliver furniture, make sales, and even record the books. However, it was never a set time.
The first "real" (meaning my dad wasn't my boss) job I had was at a shoe store (My cousin was my direct Supervisor). It also is the worse job I've ever had. It was a great experience and where I found out that education is very important considering I'm terrible at sales.
I worked at a golf course was I wasn't old enough to drive. Not a bad little place for someone to start out. You get to meet a lot of people and get some decent tips.
My mother's friends owned a bagel shop within walking distance, so I started working there at 15 and my sister started at age 14. I also worked there whenever I had summer breaks from college. I worked because I wanted money to do things that my parents were not willing to pay for (nothing as expensive as you mentioned, but spending money nonetheless).