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Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Teenagers

16yr son working till midnight and coming home alone

66 replies

user1474272923 · 19/09/2016 09:34

Hi, this is my first post so please be kind 😁.
My son turned 16 last month. He got a job at mcdonalds and his shifts have been from 4pm til 12 midnight.
I'm not usually hysterical when it comes to him going out and his curfew is usually decided depending on what the situation is. I don't mind him out late as long as he's not alone and is getting home safely.
This job though is causing me a bit of panic. The mcdonalds is in a notoriously rough area. I feel I'm being too overprotective by going out to pick him up each evening. Plus if I'm honest, I work full time and im a single mum. I'm usually fast asleep by 11pm!! (Kinda missing them days now!)
So that leaves him either having to walk through the Estate then waiting for the next tram at midnight....or me trying to force him in getting a cab home. Which would take most of his earnings bless him. The other option is me lay in bed imagining him being beaten and telling myself off for being a bad parent and not picking him up.
I do understand I need to give him some independence. I also have a daughter of 22 so iv been through this already. However she would never go anywhere alone. He feels he is invincible!!
Please don't get me wrong I don't want to fill him with unnecessary fear and im all for him taking a few risks and becoming independent. I just feel really uncomfortable with this situation at the moment.
Iv asked if he works with anyone he can share transport home with, but he doesn't.
Any advice or hand slapping for being an overbearing mother would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

OP posts:

Report

ImperialBlether · 19/09/2016 09:36

Can you afford to pay for his taxi home?

FruitCider · 19/09/2016 09:38

Depends how rough the estate is. Are we talking moss side/the meadows? Or are we talking your average estate that has a bad reputation?

user1474272923 · 19/09/2016 09:45

Thanks for your replies.
I'd love to be able to pay for his cab. But at a tenner a journey and him working 4 shifts a week. This just isn't feasible.
And im not talking guns or anything. But the area is pretty deprived. It's central drive in blackpool. You might not know it, but muggings are a pretty regular occurence.

OP posts:

FruitCider · 19/09/2016 10:05

Just had a look at the crime stats and I would personally be picking him up from there.

expatinscotland · 19/09/2016 10:16

Sorry, but I'd pick him up. Even if I had to nap in the evening.

pinkieandperkie · 19/09/2016 10:19

When my dc were in college they had jobs in local pubs working sometimes until midnight. I would set my alarm and go and drive to pick them up. I would go in my dressing gown and slippers. At least that way I didn't have to worry. They learn to drive at 17 so it wasn't for too long.

ssd · 19/09/2016 10:19

I'd definitely pick him up and eventually get him to ask if he could do earlier finishing shifts

Scotmum83 · 19/09/2016 10:20

First thing he should do is check what the policy is for late workers, especially as he is only 16. They may provide a taxi for him if he asks. My sister worked late in a theatre and they were always given a taxi fare home if there was no one driving that could give them a lift. It's worth checking.

RJnomore1 · 19/09/2016 10:22

At 16 I don't think he's legally Llowed to work past 10pm. Ill check for you.

Cherryskypie · 19/09/2016 10:24

I'd pick him up.

RJnomore1 · 19/09/2016 10:24

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/young-people/young-people-and-employment/

If you go down to the rest breaks, you cannot normally work between 10pm and 6am.

ssd · 19/09/2016 10:27

I can't imagine Mcdonalds would flout the law on young people working?

Caprimulgus · 19/09/2016 10:28

Tricky one. As a teen waitress in a family pub / restaurant, we were all (adult staff too) driven home in the 'staff taxi', by a relative of the owner, at that sort of time. Made the job possible for many of us really. I appreciate McDs wouldn't operate like that.

Is there anyone going in the same direction who could lift / taxi share?

Would a moped be an option? Or cycling? Actually, were I him, cycling, sticking to main roads as far as poss, is what I'd do.

Young men do feel invulnerable and they are so very wrong about that. I agree that walking is not safe.

RJnomore1 · 19/09/2016 10:29

McDonald's are franchises though.

Tesco certainly don't allow 16yos to work past 10pm.

MrsJayy · 19/09/2016 10:31

Can he not just jump a taxi phone a local taxi company negotiate a con tract price for the nights he Is working and he is earning so can afford to get home.

PortiaCastis · 19/09/2016 10:32

www.mcdonalds.co.uk/ukhome/whatmakesmcdonalds/questions/work-with-us/employee-age/can-i-apply-for-a-job-if-im-16.html
Don't know but the above link maybe helpful

ScarletOverkill · 19/09/2016 10:32

I didn't think under 18's could work that late either.
The thing is if he challenges it I guess he might lose his job.

MrsJayy · 19/09/2016 10:33

If he is still at school he isn't meant to be working till midnight on a school night

Aworldofmyown · 19/09/2016 10:34

You can't work past 10pm at 16. You have to be 18.

Groovee · 19/09/2016 10:35

www.gov.uk/night-working-hours/hours-and-limits

My dd works at a hotel who doesn't let her work past 10 on a school night or 11 at weekends or holidays.

MrsJayy · 19/09/2016 10:37

Ah I thought it just applied to school children up to 18

Helmetbymidnight · 19/09/2016 10:39

What a bugger for you!

I'd feel the same as you.

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AskBasil · 19/09/2016 10:39

"I can't imagine Mcdonalds would flout the law on young people working?"

LOL. Perish the thought.

I don't think this is sustainable. I don't think you're being over protective, but I also don't think you can continue to collect him and miss out on sleep yourself. Also, he is missing out on sleep. While not wanting to interfere with his independence, confidence etc., this job is not working for himself or his family. I would get on to the manager of the McD's and let them know your concerns. Make it clear that you'll go to the media if your DS loses his job as a result. They may not give a shit, but you never know, they may. And he'll just have to get a different job.

Some things do not have solutions, you just have to walk away from them.

Sukitakeitoff · 19/09/2016 10:42

A friend used to work at MacDonalds (years ago mind you) and if she worked after a certain time at night the company paid for a taxi home for her. Worth asking at least!

MrsJayy · 19/09/2016 10:43

Oh can imagine that would go down well with him his mum phoning his boss

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