To ask how old your DC were when they got their first job?

It's the same round here.

As for paper rounds, who takes a daily paper these days?

@outforawalkbiatch Paper rounds? My daughter (who is now 26 for reference), could not get any sort of employment until she was 16. She had to have an NI number. So I am surprised that it's that easy. On my local FB page there are many people posting (particularly during the holidays) asking about employment for their 14/15 year olds who want to earn a few quid and without exception, it's "they need to be 16". Maybe it's where I live 🤷🏻‍♀️

18 nothing yet despite trying. I didn't work til at uni (many years ago)

Dd was 14 when she started babysitting. Continued for several local families and friends all through school and uni holidays.
Worked at Wetherspoons when doing her masters.
Then got a full time job.

Ds was 17. Started working in a local shop weekends/holidays. Took a gap year. More hours in same shop. Now a student and works there in holidays.

DS1 (now 26) had a paper round at 13 which he did for about 18 months until he got a sailing qualification and then started work at the local sailing club, so I suppose that was his first real part-time job. He did a whole variety of other part-time jobs during his gap year but always kept on at the sailing club pretty much until he finished university.

DS2 (23) started a bit later after GCSEs and worked in Waitrose until just before A levels. Did a healthcare related course at university and worked part time in areas related to that, also did shifts at a Covid clinic.

My nephew was 18 I think when he got his first paid job (picking orders for a supermarket). Think niece was about 16.

When I was a teenager (back in the 1990s) I think it was quite unusual not to have a part-time job. That said I didn't get one until I was 17. Thought about getting a paper round for the free paper, but never did. I started applying to shops at 16, had several interviews and didn't get any, which was very dispiriting (especially as my mum's friend's daughter had several interviews and got offered all of them!)

Both dc worked from 15 pot washing. It paid for both their first cars. Ds 23 worked 2 jobs during uni and his masters. It did them so much good working especially for their social skills.

Ha Ha.

Your "So sad" is my "healthy".

University isn't "a huge mental strain" for most people. If the strain is that huge, I'd be asking if it were the right path for that person.
Very few students "are overwhelmed all of the time" - again, if they are, then maybe it isn't the right route for them.

University (for most of those who go) is a bridge between childhood and adulthood. A time when you are learning to be responsible for your own budget and being responsible for your own time management. For most, that includes finding the right balance between (paid) work, attending lectures, tutorials, labs, seminars etc., own personal study, looking after oneself (cooking, shopping, cleaning, admin etc), and fun / enjoying life - be that socialising, doing sports, running clubs and societies, etc, or whatever floats your boat. Choosing to do more hours at work and have more money to spend, or fewer hours and live more frugally.
The skills gained by working with the public are immense. As are the time management skills,
The idea that a neurotypical 18 - 24 year old doesn't have the energy to do a combination of all of those is laughable.

Oh, and yes, my current student is doing a science that includes lab time and more contact hours than some courses.

I genuinely think working has done my DC the world of good. Just in terms of building resilience, understanding a bit more about the value of money, developing people skills and confidence. DD said the other day there was a top she wanted but she didn’t buy it as she realised the amount it cost was 4 hours worth of work!

My oldest didn't have a job until she got her first one after uni. My other two have worked on and off since young teens.
My oldest has by far and away the best work ethic.

Rightly or wrongy I would assume that they were spoilt and/or had no work ethic or spirit of independence

Wrongly

DD1 - 14, cleaning an Air BnB for an hour (v small!), 15 at a local gardens in the cafe and babysitting and has just picked up a dog walking job at weekends for an hour a day. She now at 17 does all 4 jobs (c.8 hours pw with babysitting on top but she uses this time to study)

DD2 - 15, working in a boutique dress shop. Then moved on to KP at the golf club. She's now turned 16 and is moving to FOH

I think 16 onwards is okay but I imagine Job are hard to come by these days.

It is still allowed to work from 13

Summer and Christmas jobs from 16 onwards, albeit I understand those can be harder to come by now. I wouldn't want them to work at a younger age - research is a little mixed but some studies show a significant negative impact on GCSE results. Some studies show negative effects on grades beyond that age but, as others have pointed out, at uni in particular there is such a wide range of expectations as between different courses, so it's definitely not one size fits all.

I went to Oxbridge too and jobs in college like library or bar were fine. Also jobs during the vacations.

Almost all of my friends had jobs alongside school/university.

The sort of thing I was referring to is things like -

Lack of chores - loads of posters don't expect anything from their teens or even adult children

Lack of independence - parents now asking about what to pack for their child going to university, there was a post on here recently from someone asking about what meals to batch cook for their daughter to take to university (!), posters being unwilling to leave their children at home alone until mid teens, it's all every different

I didn't get my first job until I was 18.
As an aside if anyone's children are struggling to find anywhere to employ them, b&m take from 16 years old. And are usually delighted if said 16 year old can do evenings and weekends

If I were responsible for recruitment of early 20 somethings, someone would have to hugely impress me otherwise to get over the fact they had never had a job if that were the case. Rightly or wrongy I would assume that they were spoilt and/or had no work ethic or spirit of independence. It's a character thing. Not to mention the actual skills needed to adapt to and fit into a working environment which can only be learned by doing.

I don't think that's true at all. When I was a teenager in the 80s-90s no work experience was expected at all. (I did babysitting, paid reviews for a magazine and had a Saturday morning job in a shop, because my parents had no money for my clothes etc., but many of my friends had no jobs as teens.)

My university didn't allow part time jobs while studying (Oxbridge), although I had to, illicitly, as my grant didn't cover living costs.

Nowadays young people tend to have to work to save for university or training and work extra while studying to survive. On top of that, they're often expected to have quite high level work experience or internships, not just shop or waitering experience, for many courses or graduate jobs.

Children nowadays have much more pressure to do well at school, also, which is difficult if you're working as well as having hours of homework on evenings and weekends.

We're in London and it's very tricky for under 18s to find work. There are so many adults with more flexibility and capacity for hours also looking for work that it's hard for teens.

DC1 is 15 and has picked up a bit of pocket money by doing the odd couple of hours of babysitting or gardening for people on our street. But it's very ad hoc.

My boyfriend's son got a part-time job in a chain restaurant at 17 through a friend. He'd been turned down for quite a few things before that. He probably didn't interview well - social skills have improved immeasurably through working! But I think the biggest issue was actual adults with experience also wanting work. I'm hoping he might be able to get DC1 a job with the same chain eventually, too.

I grew up in a rural tourist destination and had my first job at 13/14. There was loads of work for teens if you were willing to clean holiday cottages, wait on tables, or work in kitchens. London is a completely different kettle of fish. Loads of competition.

It depends. Mine were lucky in that they had specific things they could do to get paid for from about 14. But I think for most kids nowadays it's very hard to find work. And frankly, IF I could afford it, I wouldn't want them taking minimum wage unskilled work that could go to someone we really needs it.

DS16 got his first job after finishing his GCSEs. It's easier when they are school leaving age (even if staying on for 6th form or going to college).

I feel like less and less is expected of teens and young adults and paradoxically they are becoming less and less capable. I think it's because they get less and less confidence and resilience because of those lower expectations.

I also think internships are very important. I don't think many graduate employers care whether or not you did a paper round but they do care about relevant work experience and internships. It's also a great way to try out careers and help you figure out what you want. I did 2 paid internships and hated both but at least that helped me figure out what I didn't like!

i think teenage working is very helpful for when and if they go to university, do cafe/bar work and have experience already