Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Does your teenager have a job?

70 replies

Strugglingtodomybest · 16/02/2019 09:08

My eldest is 14, which is the age I started working evenings and then the following year on Saturdays.

I always thought I'd want my own kids to get a job at the same age but now I'm unsure!

I'm unsure that there are even jobs out there anymore for 14 year olds and I'm unsure that I want him to work now anyway as school seems to be harder work than when I was there.

What are your experiences of teens working?

OP posts:
molemonkey · 16/02/2019 09:13

My nearly 14 year old works for me on a saturday and is invaluable. He works hard for his money and as this has now replaced pocket money he has much more respect for how much things cost and im no longer a free for all bank.

molemonkey · 16/02/2019 09:14

Our local market takes on 14 year olds for set up and down so before and after school

Pinkyyy · 16/02/2019 09:15

It will be difficult for you to find a job for him to do as 16 tends to be the minimum age, unless there are any family businesses willing to take him on?

Bryjam · 16/02/2019 09:15

No. Eldest is almost 18 and won't be looking for a job until after exams.

lljkk · 16/02/2019 09:16

Paper round (for news agent). They want him to work the counter in the shop (he turns out to be reliable & responsible!) but too young for another 16m. He's doing garden centre work experience in summer when he turns 15. I wonder if that will turn into a work opportunity, too.

Babysitting & casual gardening for neighbours is probably possible for hustlers. I've heard of cafe work, too.

I know a 13yo who helps with orders in the take-away restaurant her parents run.

immortalmarble · 16/02/2019 09:17

At 14? Apart from a paper round, no. I wouldn’t want my 14 year old working.

BoswellsBollocks · 16/02/2019 09:18

My 17yo started working at Tesco P/T alongside college when he was 16. He’s still there a year later and earns really well.

He took home more than I did in December!

yearinyearout · 16/02/2019 09:19

It can be difficult to get a job before 16. Both of mine got jobs in retail at 16 and just worked Saturdays, it did them both good. They get a good work ethic and learn the value of money, plus it's great to have on their CV for later on. They both did well in exams, so it didn't affect their learning.

dartitus · 16/02/2019 09:19

I was 13 when I started working in a cafe serving tea and coffee and breakfasts on the weekend. Not sure they hire people so young nowadays but it’s alwahs worth asking the small prive cafes.

HoraceCope · 16/02/2019 09:20

mine did paper round at 14
washing up in a pub at 15

MuttsNutts · 16/02/2019 09:21

DS began refereeing youth football at that age. A very nice little earner and didn’t take up too much of his free time as it was mainly Saturday and/or Sunday mornings and occasional early evenings. Has also been a great addition to his CV and personal statement for university.

Obviously need to love football to do that though.

A friend’s son has had a daily paper round from that age.

Otherwise it’s hard unless you have family or friends that need help.

Chasingsquirrels · 16/02/2019 09:22

My 16yo (yr11) started a job in November.
My just turned 13yo (yr8) now wants a job, but he can wait till he is older

madeyemoodysmum · 16/02/2019 09:23

I used to work at13 paper round
At 15 a shop

But now days think 16 is the norm unless you can find a cash in hand type job

cushioncovers · 16/02/2019 09:23

Not at 14 no, my eldest got his first job at 16 and my youngest at 17.

IloveJudgeJudy · 16/02/2019 09:32

Mine all had paper rounds from 13, then retail as soon as they were 16. It's stood them all in good stead. DS1 was also a football referee. It sounds like easy money, but it really isn't!

Pinkyyy · 16/02/2019 09:38

I personally wouldn't let mine do a paper round. I think the pay is sweatshop level.

HoraceCope · 16/02/2019 09:42

a paper round pay is good.
my dd loved it, great exercise before school, set her up for the day

SavoyCabbage · 16/02/2019 09:46

My dd is thinking of doing the refereeing course. She's 15. She doesn't love or even like football though.

brutplonk · 16/02/2019 09:46

My dd started work aged 15, at a local hair salon. Just on a Saturday for £20. She learnt a lot, and it certainly increased her confidence. She then moved into working in retail for the whole summer after her GCSEs and hated it. Far too pressurised for a 16 year old. They kept pushing at her taking a contract for hour that didn’t fit with school, and so she gave up. She did get a job every summer holiday onwards which developed her skills. Do not let your child work more than one day a week if they’re at school, or it will really affect their exam results.

If you can find a good employer that respects they are studying, sure. Otherwise, I’d say it’s best to just work summer hold

MuttsNutts · 16/02/2019 09:56

@SavoyCabbage Not sure how that would work. My DS has always loved football so the refereeing was a natural progression for him but it would take a very special person to drag themselves out in all weathers to run around a muddy pitch and have abuse shouted at them! And she would need to know the rules of the game inside out or she would be eaten alive.

It is definitely a good thing to do though - always a talking point at interviews later on and demonstrates a skill set that potential employers lap up.

MuttsNutts · 16/02/2019 10:04

@Pinkyyy Don’t you think it encourages a work ethic though and it is certainly a lot better than nothing to put on a CV so a bit short-sighted of you imo.

If you are waiting for a job with higher than low pay before you “let” your DC take a job, they’d better join a very long queue when one finally comes up and be prepared for others who could be arsed (and whose parents would allow them) to start off with a measly paper round or similar to jump ahead of them.

Bryjam · 16/02/2019 10:08

The 'work ethic' thing always gets trotted out on these threads. Do people genuinely think that if your kid doesn't do a paper round at 13 they will never have a 'work ethic'? Are people lacking so much understanding of personal development that they don't realise a 'work ethic' can come later than 13? Teaching our young people about jobs and responsibility doesn't come from having them traipse about in all weathers delivering papers. Fair enough if they want to do it, but let's not make out they are better than anyone else, or will go further in the world of work, or indeed life, because they had a paper round.

How absolutely bizarre.

HoraceCope · 16/02/2019 10:12

not bizarre, imo,
they enjoy earning the money!

MuttsNutts · 16/02/2019 10:12

We’ll have to agree to disagree there @Bryjam

Of course a work ethic can come later but demonstrating that you already have one when starting out in the world of work never does anyone any harm.

HoraceCope · 16/02/2019 10:12

they have shown to potential employers they want to work, only positive